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.
Winslow Township
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Strongly Anti-Data Center Policies
Winslow township’s descriptions identify enacted measures in Galloway and Bass River, not Winslow: one pauses development for six months, while the other bars data centers in all zoning districts; their descriptions call them proposed.
current law · Township of WinslowDesignates data centers as a non-permitted use in all zoning districts, citing potential adverse environmental impacts from electricity use and water consumption.Bass River Township Ordinance 2026-4
What this means
The measure would bar data centers in every zoning district, effectively preventing new facilities and expansions requiring zoning approval in Bass River Township (“non-permitted use in all zoning districts”). The township’s land-use board recommended it, citing data centers’ electricity use and water consumption as environmental concerns.
People behind it
- Bass River Township Commissioners
Introduced Ordinance 2026-4 designating data centers as a non-permitted use in all zoning districts.
- Bass River Township Land Use Board
Reviewed Ordinance 2026-4 under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-26 and issued a favorable recommendation to the Township Commissioners.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements15
Bass River Township Ordinance 2026-4 designates data centers as a non-permitted use in all zoning districts, preventing their construction or operation anywhere in the township. non-permitted use in all zoning districts
Estell Manor City Ordinance 4-2026 defines data centers and prohibits them in all zoning districts. define and prohibit Data Centers in all Zoning Districts
Franklin Township Ordinance O-5-2026 prohibits data centers in all zoning districts. Prohibiting Data Centers in all Zoning Districts
Galloway Township Ordinance 2172-2026 establishes a six-month moratorium on data centers and amends the zoning definitions for data centers and computer centers. Six Month Moratorium on Data Centers
Little Egg Harbor Township Ordinance 2026-26 adds data centers to the township's prohibited uses. Prohibited Uses to Include Data Centers
Manchester Township Ordinance 26-48 removes data centers from the authorized redevelopment plan for Block 62, Lots 30 and 31.01, preventing data-center development under that plan. Remove Data Centers
Medford Township Ordinance 2026-15 designates data centers as a nonpermitted use in all zones. Data Centers as a Nonpermitted Use in all Zones
Monroe Township Ordinance O:20-2026 removes data centers from the Hexa Builders Redevelopment Plan. Eliminating Data Centers
Monroe Township Ordinance O:25-2026 prohibits data centers through a new zoning section, section 175-163.5. Data Centers - prohibiting data centers
New Hanover Township Ordinance 2026-04 designates data centers as a prohibited use in all zones. Designate Data Centers as a Prohibited Use in all Zones
North Hanover Township Ordinance 2026-09 designates data centers as a non-permitted use in all zones. Designating Data Centers as a Non-Permitted Use in all Zones
Shamong Township Ordinance 2026-3 designates data centers as a non-permitted use in all zones. Includes and Designates Data Centers as a Non-Permitted Use in all Zones
Stafford Township Ordinance 2026-22 adds data centers to the township's additional prohibited uses, along with cannabis uses. Additional Prohibited Uses - (cannabis & data centers)
Upper Township Ordinance 015-2026 prohibits data centers through an amendment to Chapter 20 zoning regulations. Data Center Prohibition
Winslow Township Ordinance O-2026-017 prohibits data centers specifically within the Pinelands Area. Prohibits Data Centers ... in the Pinelands Area
Sources
current law · Winslow TownshipEstablishes a temporary six-month moratorium on data-center development while the Galloway Township Planning Board conducts further study, review, and makes recommendations, and amends Chapter 233 to define “data center” and “computer center.”Galloway Township Ordinance 2172-2026 (2026)
What this means
The proposed ordinance would pause data center development for six months while the Planning Board studies the issue, delaying new projects during that period (temporary six-month moratorium). It is not a permanent ban, but the pause is a major short-term barrier to building or expanding data centers.
Timing
- Ends
- six months after adoption
The measure establishes a temporary six-month moratorium on the development of data centers pending further study, review, and recommendation by the Galloway Township Planning Board. No extension condition is stated.
People behind it
- Galloway Township Council
Introduced and considered Ordinance 2172-2026 establishing a temporary six-month moratorium on data centers.
- Galloway Township Planning Board
Identified as responsible for further study, review, and recommendation concerning the data-center moratorium.
- Galloway Township
Adopted and submitted Ordinance 2172-2026 for review.
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- Pinelands Commission
Reviewed Galloway Township's ordinance for consistency with the Comprehensive Management Plan.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Imposes a temporary six-month moratorium on the development of data centers while Galloway Township conducts further study and awaits review and recommendations from the Planning Board.
Sources
pending · Winslow TownshipAmends Plumsted Township’s Chapter 15 zoning provisions concerning data centers.Plumsted Township Ordinance 2026-19 (2026)
What this means
The listed local measures would make data-center development much harder in affected towns: several designate data centers as prohibited or non-permitted uses, and Galloway’s measure establishes a six-month moratorium. These are serious local barriers, but the page does not show a statewide ban; some measures’ detailed rules are also not provided. Examples include prohibitions in all zones and a six month moratorium.
Timing
- Ends
- six months after adoption
The Galloway Township measure establishes a six-month moratorium on data centers. The source does not specify the precise expiration date or whether the period runs from local adoption or Commission receipt.
People behind it
- New Jersey Pinelands Commission
Administers the review of county and municipal master plans and ordinances for consistency with the Comprehensive Management Plan.
- Barnegat Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and/or submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Bass River Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinance for Commission review.
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- Beachwood Borough
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinance for Commission review.
- Berkeley Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinance for Commission review.
- Berlin Borough
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinance for Commission review.
- Berlin Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and/or submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Buena Borough
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed redevelopment plan for Commission review.
- Corbin City
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinance for Commission review.
- Dennis Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and/or submitted the listed ordinances and redevelopment plan for Commission review.
- Egg Harbor City
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and/or submitted the listed plans and ordinances for Commission review.
- Egg Harbor Township
Local municipality that proposed and submitted the listed ordinance for local adoption and Commission review.
- Estell Manor City
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinance for Commission review.
- Evesham Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Franklin Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Galloway Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinances and redevelopment plan for Commission review.
- Hamilton Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Hammonton Town
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed redevelopment plan for Commission review.
- Jackson Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and/or submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Lacey Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and/or submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Lakehurst Borough
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed housing plan for Commission review.
- Little Egg Harbor Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and/or submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Manchester Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Maurice River Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed housing plan addendum for Commission review.
- Medford Lakes Borough
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Medford Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Monroe Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and/or submitted the listed ordinances, redevelopment plan, and housing plan for Commission review.
- Mullica Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- New Hanover Township
Local municipality that proposed and submitted the listed ordinance for local adoption and Commission review.
- North Hanover Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and/or submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Ocean Township
Local municipality that proposed and submitted the listed ordinance for local adoption and Commission review.
- Pemberton Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and/or submitted the listed master plan and ordinances for Commission review.
- Plumsted Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Shamong Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and/or submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- South Toms River Borough
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinance for Commission review.
- Southampton Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinance for Commission review.
- Stafford Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Tabernacle Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed redevelopment plan for Commission review.
- Upper Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinance for Commission review.
- Vineland City
Local municipality that proposed and submitted the listed ordinance for local adoption and Commission review.
- Washington Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinance for Commission review.
- Waterford Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and/or submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Winslow Township
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and submitted the listed ordinances for Commission review.
- Woodbine Borough
Local municipality that proposed, adopted, and/or submitted the listed plans and ordinance for Commission review.
- Woodland Township
Local municipality that proposed and submitted the listed ordinance for local adoption and Commission review.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements15
Estell Manor defines data centers and prohibits them in all zoning districts.
Franklin Township prohibits data centers in all zoning districts.
Galloway Township establishes a six-month moratorium on data centers.
Jackson Township adopts land-use regulations specifically governing data centers.
Little Egg Harbor Township adds data centers to its list of prohibited uses.
Manchester Township amends a redevelopment plan to remove data centers from the redevelopment area.
Medford Township designates data centers as a nonpermitted use in all zones.
Monroe Township removes data centers from the Hexa Builders Redevelopment Plan.
Monroe Township prohibits data centers through a new zoning provision.
New Hanover Township designates data centers as a prohibited use in all zones.
North Hanover Township designates data centers as a non-permitted use in all zones.
Shamong Township designates data centers as a non-permitted use in all zones.
Stafford Township adds data centers to its additional prohibited uses.
Upper Township prohibits data centers through an amendment to its zoning chapter.
Winslow Township prohibits data centers in the Pinelands Area.
Sources
pending · Winslow TownshipWould amend New Hanover Township’s land-development regulations to prohibit data centers in all zoning districts, affecting proposed data-center uses throughout the township.New Jersey New Hanover Township Ordinance 2026-04 (2026)
What this means
If enacted, the ordinance would make data centers a prohibited use in all zones, effectively blocking new data center development in New Hanover Township. The township lists a final version of Ordinance 2026-04, so this is an outright ban within its scope.
People behind it
- New Hanover Township
Proposed, introduced, and adopted Ordinance 2026-04 designating data centers as a prohibited use in all zones.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements5
Establishes a six-month moratorium on data centers in Galloway Township, temporarily preventing their approval or development during the moratorium period.
Prohibits data centers in all zoning districts in Estell Manor, Franklin Township, Medford Township, New Hanover Township, North Hanover Township, Shamong Township, Stafford Township, and Upper Township.
Prohibits data centers within the Pinelands Area of Winslow Township.
Removes data centers as an allowed use from the Hexa Builders Redevelopment Plan in Monroe Township.
Amends the Radix Road-related redevelopment provisions in Manchester Township to remove data centers from the redevelopment plan.
Sources
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