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.
Manchester Township
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Neutral Data Center Policies
Manchester Township has enacted a measure described as pausing permits for new or expanded data centers for up to two years; existing facilities do not appear required to stop operating.
Rating from Washtenaw County as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Manchester Township.
current law · Manchester TownshipProhibits Manchester Township from approving or allowing data centers for up to two years while it considers regulations.Manchester Township Ordinance No. 116 (2025)
What this means
The measure would pause permits and approvals for building or expanding data centers for up to two years, making new projects substantially harder during that time. It does not appear to require existing data centers to stop operating.
Timing
- Ends
- the earlier of 2027-10-14 (two years after adoption) or the Township’s implementation of regulations governing Data Centers
The moratorium covers data-center permitting and related activities. The public notice states a two-year period ending 2027-10-14, while the ordinance provides that it ends earlier if the Township implements regulations governing Data Centers. No extension condition is stated.
People behind it
- Manchester Township Board
Adopted Ordinance No. 116 establishing the two-year data center moratorium.
- Kim Thompson
Moved to adopt Ordinance No. 116 establishing the data center moratorium.
- John Seefeld
Seconded the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 116 establishing the data center moratorium.
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- Ronald Milkey
Signed the adopted ordinance as Manchester Township Supervisor.
- Danell Proctor
Certified the ordinance’s adoption, recorded it, handled its publication, and issued the adoption notice as Manchester Township Clerk.
- Manchester Township
Municipal entity responsible for administering the public notice and related regulation.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements11
Imposes a temporary moratorium prohibiting the permitting, consideration, approval, location, erection, construction, installation, expansion, or operation of data centers in Manchester Township.
The moratorium lasts until the earlier of two years or the Township’s implementation of regulations governing data centers.
Defines data centers broadly to include servers, air handlers, power generators, water-cooling and storage facilities, utility substations, associated utility infrastructure, and similar operations whether or not specifically listed in the zoning ordinance.
Limits data centers to designated industrial zoning districts and prohibits them in other zoning districts.
Requires conditional-use, site-plan, land-development, zoning, and other applicable approvals before a data center may be constructed or operated.
Requires completion of the applicable conditional-use hearing and review process, including public review, before approval.
Requires applications to provide detailed information concerning the site, traffic, utilities, stormwater, environmental impacts, noise, and emergency response.
Imposes location, dimensional, setback, buffering, screening, landscaping, and other site-design requirements that restrict where facilities may be built or expanded.
Requires compliance with operating standards for noise, lighting, equipment visibility, security, traffic, utilities, stormwater, and emergency equipment, including operating, testing, emissions, and noise controls for backup generators.
Requires plans and financial assurance for decommissioning abandoned facilities, removing them, and restoring the site.
Makes applicants or operators responsible for required infrastructure, improvements, studies, inspections, application and review fees, and other approval-related costs.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions5
Allows data centers as a conditional use in designated industrial zoning districts, subject to the ordinance’s approval standards.
Allows data-center buildings to include related accessory facilities and equipment, such as electrical substations, backup generators, cooling systems, utility equipment, and security facilities.
Permits data centers to operate continuously, including 24 hours per day and seven days per week, subject to applicable noise, lighting, safety, and environmental requirements.
Allows expansion or modification of an approved data center through the applicable zoning-approval process rather than treating each change as an entirely new use.
Protects approved data centers from later zoning changes by allowing them to continue operating as approved uses even if subsequent requirements differ.
Sources
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