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.
Sparta Township
Strongly Anti-Data Center Policies
Sparta Township has enacted a rule barring data centers in all zoning districts, effectively preventing new facilities or expansions; ordinary business servers and some network facilities are excluded.
current law · Township of SpartaOrdinance 26-11 establishes a binding land-use prohibition on data centers in every zoning district throughout Sparta Township.Ordinance 26-11
What this means
The measure would ban data centers in every zoning district, making building or expanding one effectively impossible (“prohibited use in all zoning districts”). It excludes ordinary business server equipment and some network facilities, but those exceptions do not permit commercial data-center uses.
People behind it
- Township Council of the Township of Sparta
Introduced the ordinance on first reading and adopted it on final reading.
- Roxanne Landy, RMC
As Municipal Clerk, was authorized to publish the ordinance notice and make numbering changes needed for codification.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Data centers are expressly prohibited in every zoning district. The definition covers facilities primarily engaged in data storage, processing, cloud computing, cryptocurrency mining, AI processing, and related operations, including associated infrastructure such as cooling systems, generators, and substations. Customary IT or server equipment incidental to a permitted use is excluded, as is ordinary telecommunications and network infrastructure; that infrastructure is not excluded if used for commercial data storage, colocation, cloud computing, cryptocurrency mining, AI computing, or high-density data processing. The ordinance takes effect upon final passage, approval, and publication as required by law. prohibited in all zoning districts
Sources
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