A data center may be located only east of Pulaski Highway (Route 40) or south of Liberty Road.

Data centers are permitted only in specified zoning circumstances: in R.C.5, M.R., M.L.R., M.L., and M.H. zones; in a B.M. zone, only when the lot is part of a tract that also includes M.L.- or M.H.-zoned land. M.R.-zone operations must be entirely inside enclosed buildings unless the development plan approves otherwise.

In R.C.5, the minimum setback from a lot or street line is 10 feet. It may be reduced to zero to integrate, adjoin, or connect structures on contiguous lots with the contiguous-lot owner’s expressed approval.

In R.C.5, principal structures associated with a data center may not exceed 60 feet in height; interconnection equipment, poles, and other ancillary support structures are not counted as principal structures.

In R.C.5, off-street parking must provide at least one space per employee on the largest shift.

In R.C.5, signage must comply with the M.H.-zone regulations.

In R.C.5, a landscaping buffer is required around portions of the property with data-center buildings or structures adjoining residentially zoned or used property. Landscaping is not required in already vegetated areas or where it would conflict with other regulations, including wetlands or natural-habitat protections.

In R.C.5, data centers must comply with state and local noise ordinances and regulations, including COMAR 26.02.03.02 and Article 17, Title 3 of the Baltimore County Code.

Data centers are permitted as of right in the R.C.5, M.L., and M.H. zones, subject to the measure’s conditions. They are also permitted in M.R if operations are entirely inside enclosed buildings unless the development plan approves otherwise, and in M.L.R through the uses allowed in M.R. Data centers are permitted in B.M only when the lot is part of a tract that also includes M.L. or M.H.-zoned land; the tract may span public roads or rights-of-way, and the use may be a single operation or part of a multi-operator campus. Data centers are limited to locations east of Pulaski Highway or south of Liberty Road. The measure lists these permitted uses and conditions.

A data center may be permitted in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area notwithstanding contrary zoning provisions; the measure does not require a data center to be located there. The section allows this location.

For data centers governed by the special standards, the minimum setback is 10 feet; it may be reduced to zero to join or connect structures on contiguous lots with the neighboring owner’s express approval. No setback is required between the facility’s structures or their accessory devices. The standards set these setback rules.

The special standards allow principal structures up to 60 feet high and impose no lot-coverage requirement; interconnection equipment, poles, and other ancillary support structures are not counted as principal structures for the height limit. The standards specify the height and lot coverage rules.

The minimum off-street parking requirement is one space per employee on the largest shift. The parking rule uses the largest shift.

A landscaping buffer is required where a data-center building or structure adjoins property zoned or used for residential purposes, but landscaping is not required in already vegetated areas or where it would conflict with other regulations, such as wetland or natural-habitat protections. The landscaping rule includes these exceptions.

Where the special section applies, its provisions govern if they conflict with other zoning regulations, protecting the section’s standards from conflicting zoning rules. The section applies only to data centers in the R.C.5 zone. The conflict rule and zone limit are stated here.