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.
City of Baltimore
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Neutral Data Center Policies
Baltimore City has enacted a measure barring data centers citywide, blocking new facilities and making expansion harder; it is described as a moratorium that can end, so its duration is uncertain.
Rating from Maryland statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for City of Baltimore.
current law · City of BaltimoreProhibits data centers as a permitted use throughout Baltimore City.Baltimore City Ordinance 26-128 (2026)
What this means
The measure would make data centers a prohibited use across Baltimore City, blocking new facilities and making expansion substantially harder (“prohibited use Citywide”). It is described as a moratorium with provisions that can end, so it is a severe but not clearly permanent restriction.
Timing
- Ends
- Jun 30, 2027
The moratorium provisions expire on 2027-06-30. All other provisions remain in effect.
People behind it
- Zeke Cohen
Explicitly identified as a sponsor of the measure.
- Mark Parker
Explicitly identified as a sponsor of the measure.
- Ryan Dorsey
Explicitly identified as a sponsor of the measure.
Show 11 more peopleShow fewer people
- Mark Conway
Explicitly identified as a sponsor of the measure.
- Sharon Green Middleton
Explicitly identified as a sponsor of the measure.
- Phylicia Porter
Explicitly identified as a sponsor of the measure.
- Jermaine Jones
Explicitly identified as a sponsor of the measure.
- Antonio "Tony" Glover
Explicitly identified as a sponsor of the measure.
- Odette Ramos
Explicitly identified as a sponsor of the measure.
- Paris Gray
Explicitly identified as a sponsor of the measure.
- John Bullock
Explicitly identified as a sponsor of the measure.
- Zac Blanchard
Explicitly identified as a sponsor of the measure.
- Baltimore City Council
Introduced, assigned, administered, approved, and sent the measure to the Mayor.
- Mayor
Signed the measure.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Establishes a data center as a prohibited use throughout Baltimore City, preventing new data centers from being established under the City’s zoning code.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions3
Projects already covered by applications or permits submitted or issued before the ordinance takes effect are protected from the new citywide prohibition, subject to the measure’s stated conditions.
Lawfully established data centers may continue operating as existing nonconforming uses after data centers become prohibited citywide; this protection applies only to uses legally established before the prohibition takes effect.
The moratorium provisions are temporary, and the ordinance provides for specified provisions to terminate on the stated termination date, allowing the citywide prohibition to cease subject to any later applicable law.
Sources
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