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.
Village of McDonald
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Mixed Data Center Policies
McDonald has enacted a temporary pause of up to one year on data-center applications, while current zoning already does not permit data centers.
Rating from Ohio statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Village of McDonald.
current law · Village of McDonaldEstablishes a temporary moratorium of no more than one year on data-center development in McDonald, Ohio, allowing the Village to review its ordinances, state law, and the potential effects of data centers before deciding whether and under what conditions to permit them.McDonald Emergency Data Center Moratorium Ordinance (2026)
What this means
The measure would pause applications for building, expanding, or operating data centers for up to one year, and suspend decision deadlines during that time (moratorium of up to one year). Because data centers are already not permitted under current zoning, this is a substantial temporary barrier rather than a permanent ban.
Timing
- Ends
- Earlier of adoption of ordinances addressing data centers, Council passage of an ordinance terminating the moratorium, or one year from the effective date
The effective date is not specified beyond taking effect at the earliest time permitted by law. The moratorium applies to covered data-center submissions, and related statutory and ordinance deadlines are suspended during the moratorium.
People behind it
- Village of McDonald Council
Enacted Ordinance No. 3340-26 establishing the data-center moratorium.
- Mr. Schmidt
Moved to suspend the Council rules and moved for Ordinance No. 3340-26 to pass on emergency reading.
- Douglas W. Ross
Solicitor credited for his work in bringing the legislation to Council.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements4
Data centers are currently not a permitted use under the Village’s zoning regulations: “a Data Center is not a permitted use in the Village”.
The ordinance imposes a moratorium lasting up to one year, effective immediately as an emergency measure, on accepting, processing, considering, or approving any application, permit, zoning request, variance, or other approval related to developing, establishing, constructing, expanding, or operating a data center: “a moratorium not to exceed one (1) year” and “acceptance, processing, consideration or approval”.
All statutory and ordinance deadlines for Village officials and boards to act on data-center-related submissions are suspended and tolled during the moratorium; deadlines for submissions filed before it took effect resume only after the moratorium expires or is repealed: “all statutory and Ordinance deadlines” and “shall resume upon expiration or repeal”.
The moratorium covers facilities primarily used for operating, storing, managing, processing, or transmitting digital data, including supporting utility infrastructure such as generators, cooling and water-storage facilities, and substations; it does not cover server rooms or IT equipment accessory to another principal use on the same premises: “does not include server rooms”.
Sources
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