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.
City of Bismarck
Pro-Data Center Policies
Bismarck allows data centers in industrial districts, but they still need special-use approval, so construction is not automatic.
current law · City of BismarckThis city ordinance amends Bismarck’s zoning code to define data centers and allow them as special uses in MA industrial districts and administrative special uses in MB industrial districts.Bismarck Ordinance 6505 (2022)
What this means
The measure would make data centers an allowed use in Bismarck’s industrial districts, creating a clearer path to build them. They would still need special-use approval, so development would not be automatic (special-use rules for industrial districts).
People behind it
- Community Development Department
Identified as the source of the staff-initiated zoning ordinance text amendment to allow data centers as special uses.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Data centers require special-use approval in the MA Industrial district and administrative special-use approval in the MB Industrial district.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Allows data centers as a special use in the MA Industrial district and an administrative special use in the MB Industrial district; this zoning pathway is limited to those districts. (data centers as a special use)
Sources
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