The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Marion County
Mixed Data Center Policies
Marion County’s described measure asks officials to pause certain approvals until May 7, 2027, but does not require one or create a binding barrier to data-center projects; it is labeled enacted, though the description says it is not an ordinance.
Rating from Indiana statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Marion County.
current law · County measureIndianapolis-Marion County established a temporary moratorium on the permitting or allowance of new data centers through no later than December 31, 2027.Marion County Data-Center Moratorium (2026)
Specific to Marion County only.
current law · County measureTemporarily prohibits permitting or approving new data centers in Marion County through no later than December 31, 2027, while the city develops zoning rules.Indiana Indianapolis City-County Council Proposal 158 (2026)
What this means
The proposal asks the Metropolitan Development Commission to pause certain approvals until May 7, 2027, but it does not itself require a pause. The Council minutes clarify it is not an actual ordinance, so it would create no binding barrier to building, expanding, or operating data centers.
Timing
- Ends
- Dec 31, 2027
The adopted moratorium took effect immediately and remains in place until no later than December 31, 2027. No extension condition is stated.
People behind it
- Councilor J. Brown
Identified as the proposal’s sponsor and initiator.
- Councilor Wells
Identified as a co-sponsor of the proposal.
- LeAnnette Pierce
Identified as the proposal’s drafter.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
A temporary moratorium bars permitting or allowing new data centers in Marion County. It took effect immediately and remains in place until no later than December 31, 2027. The moratorium took effect immediately and remains in place until no later than December 31, 2027.
A separate City-County Council resolution urges the Metropolitan Development Commission to defer or stay approvals of new data-center rezoning petitions and Improvement Location Permits until May 7, 2027, or until the SU-47 zoning amendment is adopted and codified, whichever comes first. The resolution itself is not enforceable and does not impose a moratorium. The Council formally urges the MDC to exercise its authority to defer or stay approvals.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Rezoning Ordinance No. 50, 2026 rezoned 13.68 acres at 2505 North Sherman Drive from I-2 to C-S for a data center, offices, and all uses allowed in I-2. To provide for a data center.
Sources
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