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.
Ypsilanti Charter Township
Anti-Data Center Policies
Ypsilanti Charter Township’s enacted rule limits data centers to the ICR district and requires special land-use approval; the title calls it proposed, but it is not an outright ban.
current law · Ypsilanti Charter TownshipRestricts data centers to Ypsilanti Township’s Industrial and Commercial Revitalization district, where they require special-land-use approval, and defines them separately from technology and office-research uses.Ypsilanti Charter Township Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-13 (2025)
What this means
The amendment would limit data centers to the ICR district and require special land-use approval, removing them from several other districts where they could otherwise be allowed. That substantially narrows where new centers can be built or expanded, though it does not ban them outright (limit data centers to the ICR district only).
People behind it
- Ypsilanti Charter Township Planning Department
Proposed and offered the zoning ordinance text amendment regarding data center definitions and locations.
- Debbie Swanson
Township Clerk who administered the measure’s certification, publication, and submission for codification.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
Data centers or computing centers are classified as facilities housing computer systems and related equipment, including servers, telecommunications, storage systems, backup power, redundant data connections, and environmental controls. This definition prevents a data center from qualifying under the separate technology centers/office research definition.
Data centers for the storage or warehousing of computer servers or computing centers are designated as a special land use in the ICR Industrial and Commercial Revitalization District, requiring Township Board approval rather than being allowed outright.
Because data centers are subject to special-land-use treatment in the ICR District, proposals must undergo the Township’s special land-use review process, including the applicable public-hearing, review, and approval requirements.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions4
The industrial-district use table identifies data centers or computing centers as a special land use in the ICR Industrial and Commercial Revitalization District, subject to Township Board approval. Special Land Use
The ordinance expressly lists technology centers, office research, and data centers as a use in the Neighborhood Corridors form-based district's miscellaneous-uses group. Technology centers/office research/data center
The ordinance expressly lists technology centers, office research, and data centers as a use in the Regional Corridors form-based district's miscellaneous-uses group. Technology centers/office research/data center
The ordinance expressly lists technology centers, office research, and data centers as a use in the Town Center form-based district's miscellaneous-uses group. Technology centers/office research/data center
Sources
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