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.
Clark Township
Strongly Anti-Data Center Policies
Clark Township bars data centers as a primary business in all zoning districts; ordinary computer rooms supporting another permitted business are exempt. One description calls the ordinance introduced, conflicting with its enacted status.
current law · Clark TownshipClark Ordinance 26-23 removes data centers as permitted uses in CI, LCI and COR districts and prohibits them in all districts.Clark Township Ordinance 26-23 (2026)
What this means
The measure would prohibit data centers in every zoning district, making it an outright ban on building or expanding them in Clark (“prohibit data centers as a use in all districts”). It excludes ordinary server and computer rooms that mainly support another permitted business, but that exception does not allow a data center to operate as its main business.
People behind it
- Angel Albanese
Mayor; approval block.
- William F. Smith
Council President; signature block.
- Nicole Castellucci
Acting Township Clerk; attestation.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
Removes data centers as permitted uses in CI, LCI and COR districts.
Prohibits data centers as a use in all districts.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Conditional exclusion for customary accessory computer rooms and related IT infrastructure supporting permitted on-premises operations; not permission for principal commercial hosting.
Sources
current law · Township of ClarkAmends the Township’s 2023 Master Plan Re-Examination Report by adding Section 4.1.8, which finds that data centers are not appropriate in any of the Township’s zoning districts because of concerns about residential character, development patterns, infrastructure capacity, and planning objectives.Amended Master Plan Re-Examination Report, Section 4.1A (2026)
What this means
If enacted, Ordinance 26-23 would prohibit data centers in all zoning districts, preventing new data center development anywhere in Clark. The minutes describe the ordinance as introduced, not yet adopted.
People behind it
- Township Council
Introduced Ordinance 26-23 to prohibit data centers in all zoning districts.
- Fair Share Housing Center (FSHCC)
Requested the removal of the affordable-housing waiver provision addressed by Ordinance 26-22.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Ordinance 26-23 removes data centers as a permitted use from certain zoning districts and prohibits data centers in all Township zoning districts.
Sources
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