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 Avon Lake
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Mixed Data Center Policies
Avon Lake has enacted a pause on most new data-center development, including approvals and permits, through June 22, 2027. Small centers mainly supporting on-site operations are exempt, but the measure requires review.
Rating from Ohio statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for City of Avon Lake.
current law · City of Avon LakeImposes an immediate moratorium on future data-center development in Avon Lake through June 22, 2027, covering proposed permitted, conditional, and accessory uses and barring related zoning and building permits and certificates of occupancy.City of Avon Lake Ordinance 26-60 (2026)
What this means
The measure would pause most new data-center development through June 22, 2027, including approvals and permits, making building or expanding a data center substantially harder during that period (moratorium through June 22, 2027). It exempts small data centers that mainly support on-site operations, but the pause and required review process are still major barriers.
Timing
- Ends
- Jun 22, 2027
The moratorium runs through 2027-06-22. Council may extend it for up to an additional six months if it finds that more time is needed to complete the required study and recommendations. Data centers incidental or subordinate to a permitted principal use and primarily supporting on-site operations are excluded from the moratorium.
People behind it
- Matthew Reynolds
Identified as the ordinance’s introducer and moved for its passage.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements7
A moratorium prohibits consideration, approval, or authorization of data-center development through June 22, 2027, including permitted, conditional, and accessory uses.
During the moratorium, the City may not issue zoning permits, building permits, or certificates of occupancy for a building, structure, use, or change of use that would enable data-center development.
The moratorium applies to the submission, consideration, and approval of all applications and review procedures for data-center development.
The moratorium suspends and tolls legally prescribed decision deadlines for applications, and an application cannot be deemed approved because officials fail to act during the moratorium.
The moratorium may be extended by Council for up to an additional six months if more time is needed to complete the City's study and develop regulatory controls.
No data-center zoning framework or other action authorizing data-center uses may advance to Council for final action until the City completes an economic-development strategy; data-center zoning, safety, infrastructure, socioeconomic, community-impact, and fiscal-impact analyses; at least two publicly noticed hearings or stakeholder-engagement sessions; review by the Economic Development Committee and Public Service Committee; and referral to Council.
The moratorium does not apply to a data center that is incidental or subordinate to a permitted principal use and primarily supports on-site operations, provided it has no separate exterior mechanical or electrical equipment beyond what is typical for the principal use.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
The moratorium does not apply to a data center that is incidental or subordinate to a permitted principal use and primarily supports on-site operations, provided it does not include separate exterior mechanical or electrical equipment beyond what is typical for the principal use.
Sources
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