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The Data Center Divide

Mansfield Township

Strongly Anti-Data Center Policies

Mansfield Township has enacted a zoning ordinance that bans data centers as a named use, preventing new data centers from being built there.

current law · Township of Mansfield
Mansfield Township (Burlington County) Ordinance 2026-11 adds Data Center Uses to §65-88.Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey Ordinance 2026-11 (2026)

What this means

The measure expressly bans data centers as a named use in Mansfield, preventing new data centers from being built there. The township committee voted unanimously to adopt the zoning ordinance.

People behind it

  • Deputy Mayor who introduced the ordinance (municipal press release).

  • Municipal clerk certifying introduction-version ordinance (certification).

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3

  • Adds Data Center Uses to the general prohibited-use list at §65-88.B(6) (Section Three).

  • Defines data-center uses by primary data-processing function and infrastructure characteristics (definition).

  • Incorporated preamble identifies substantially similar and functionally equivalent uses as already prohibited under unspecified-use rule (preamble).

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • Definition excludes server facilities accessory and subordinate to hospitals, health care, schools, municipal agencies, manufacturing or another primary use (exception). This is a limited scope exception, not an incentive for standalone data centers.

Sources

pending · Township of Mansfield
Would amend the Tower Gate Redevelopment Plan to allow a data center as a principal permitted use in the Warehouse Development Area, alongside related infrastructure such as HVAC, solar panels, batteries, electrical equipment, generators, and telecommunications structures.Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey Ordinance 2026-2 (2026)

What this means

If enacted, this would allow data centers as a principal use in the Tower Gate redevelopment area and permit related equipment, making development there substantially easier (“Data Center” as a permitted principal use). It adds parking and loading standards, but these appear modest compared with the benefit; the change applies only to this redevelopment area.

People behind it

  • Introduced, adopted, and enacted the ordinance amending the Tower Gate Redevelopment Plan.

  • Made the motion associated with the ordinance.

  • Seconded the motion associated with the ordinance.

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  • Reviewed the amendment, determined it was substantially consistent with the Master Plan, and recommended its adoption.

  • Prepared the Tower Gate Redevelopment Plan that the ordinance amends.

  • Municipal Clerk who certified the ordinance and administered its introduction and scheduled public hearing.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements5

  • Data centers must provide at least 0.25 passenger-vehicle parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, with gross floor area including the entire building.

  • Data centers must provide at least one loading space measuring at least 12 feet by 55 feet for every 100,000 square feet of gross floor area.

  • Ground-mounted HVAC equipment, including compressors and cooling towers, may not exceed the building height.

  • Roof-mounted HVAC equipment, including compressors and air handlers, may not exceed 10 feet in height.

  • Fences and walls, including security fencing and walls, are limited to 8 feet in height, although they may be installed within required front, side, and rear yard setbacks.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions12

  • Data centers are added as a permitted principal use in the Warehouse Development Area, allowing them to be developed without requiring a use variance. The use is limited to facilities primarily used for storing, managing, processing, or transmitting digital data, including related offices and computer-based support equipment.

  • Data centers may use accessory ground-mounted and roof-mounted HVAC equipment, including compressors, cooling towers, and air handlers. Ground-mounted equipment may not exceed the building height, and roof-mounted equipment may not exceed 10 feet in height.

  • Data centers may install exterior ground-mounted or roof-mounted solar panels and batteries as accessory facilities.

  • Data centers may install electric substations, transformers, and switchgear as accessory facilities.

  • Data centers may use electric generation or cogeneration facilities, including primary natural-gas or solar systems with or without battery storage, and emergency diesel or natural-gas generation.

  • Data centers may install data or telecommunications structures and buildings as accessory facilities.

  • Data centers may install natural-gas valve and pressure-reducing structures as accessory facilities.

  • Data centers receive the same area, bulk, and height regulations as warehouse uses.

  • The minimum passenger-vehicle parking requirement for a data center is 0.25 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area. Gross floor area includes the entire building, including offices, maintenance areas, servers, utilities, and areas separated by internal partitions.

  • Data centers must provide at least one loading space measuring at least 12 feet by 55 feet for every 100,000 square feet of gross floor area.

  • Fences and walls, including security fencing and walls, may be up to 8 feet high and may be placed within the minimum required front, side, and rear yard setbacks.

  • The redevelopment plan supersedes other local development regulations to the extent provided in the plan, and the Township zoning map is amended to conform to the plan.

Sources

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