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.
Borough of Madison
Strongly Anti-Data Center Policies
Madison borough has enacted a rule barring data centers in all zoning districts, blocking new facilities and expansion as data centers; it does not specifically require existing facilities to close.
current law · Borough of MadisonProhibits data centers in every zoning district by amending Chapter 195, “Land Development,” with the ordinance defining data centers as facilities primarily used to store, manage, or process data, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large-language-model applications; warehouses, laboratories, and research-and-development uses are excluded from the definition.Madison Borough Ordinance 27-2026
What this means
The measure would prohibit data centers in every zoning district, effectively blocking new data center development and expansion as a data center use. It does not specifically say that existing facilities must stop operating. “Data centers shall be prohibited in all zone districts”.
People behind it
- Land Use Sub-Committee
Proposed and recommended the revisions incorporated into Ordinance 27-2026.
- Borough Council
Introduced, passed, and finally adopted Ordinance 27-2026.
- Robert H. Conley
Mayor who approved the ordinance.
Show 1 more peopleShow fewer people
- Elizabeth Osborne
Borough Clerk who administered the required adoption notice and signed the final-adoption notice.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Data centers are prohibited in all zoning districts. The ban applies to facilities primarily used to store, manage, or process data, including facilities supporting artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models; warehouses, laboratories, and research-and-development uses are expressly excluded from the definition of a data center.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data