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 Detroit
Pro-Data Center Policies
Wayne County’s enacted measure offers a path to sales and use tax exemptions, with community-benefit commitments; county approval covers tax benefits, not construction approval.
Rating and summary from Wayne County as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for City of Detroit.
pending · City of DetroitUrges the mayor to pause data-center development and new permits in Detroit for two years while the city studies the impacts.Detroit City Council Resolution Requesting Withholding of Data Center Permits
What this means
The proposed city resolution calls for a two-year pause on data center development and asks departments to stop issuing new data center permits, making new construction and expansion substantially harder during that period. It does not propose shutting down existing data centers, and the resolution is proposed—not already in effect.
Timing
- Ends
- two-year moratorium period
The proposed City Council resolution calls for a two-year moratorium on data center development and permits, but does not specify a start date. Separately, the City Planning Commission supported a yearlong moratorium, while the referenced state legislative package would expire on 2027-04-01.
People behind it
- Scott Benson
Detroit City Council member who requested the moratorium resolution and is identified as its sponsor.
- Legislative Policy Division
Drafted the resolution at Council Member Scott Benson’s request.
- Mayor Mary Sheffield
Official urged by the resolution to enact the two-year moratorium.
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- Mayor’s Office
Office directed by the resolution to refrain from issuing new data center permits during the moratorium.
- Building Safety, Engineering and Environmental Department
City department directed by the resolution to refrain from issuing new data center permits during the moratorium.
- Planning and Development
City department directed by the resolution to refrain from issuing new data center permits during the moratorium.
- Adrian-Keith Bennett
City Planning Commission member who moved to support a yearlong moratorium on data centers.
- Frederick Russell
City Planning Commission member who seconded the motion supporting a yearlong moratorium on data centers.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements4
The proposed Detroit resolution urges the Mayor to impose a two-year moratorium on developing any data centers within the city.
During the proposed two-year moratorium, the Mayor’s Office and relevant city departments—including Building Safety, Engineering and Environmental Department, and Planning and Development—would refrain from issuing new data-center permits.
The City Planning Commission approved support, subject to Law Department approval, for a one-year moratorium on data centers while staff research zoning regulations for the use.
House Bills 5594–5596, identified in the Council member’s memorandum, propose a statewide moratorium on constructing and permitting new data centers until April 1, 2027.
Sources
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