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 Niles
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Mixed Data Center Policies
Niles has enacted a temporary pause of up to 180 days on most data-center permit applications and new permits, with limited exceptions such as server rooms under 500 square feet.
Rating from Ohio statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for City of Niles.
current law · City of NilesEstablishes a temporary moratorium of up to 180 days on new data-center permits in Niles, barring the granting or issuance of new permits and the receipt or processing of related applications.Niles Emergency Data Center Moratorium Ordinance (2026)
What this means
The measure would temporarily stop the city from accepting or processing most data-center permit applications and issuing new permits for up to 180 days (a moratorium not to exceed 180 days). Limited exceptions apply, such as small server rooms under 500 square feet, but the pause would significantly delay new projects while the city reviews its rules.
Timing
- Ends
- 180 days from the effective date of Ordinance No. 107-26
The moratorium suspends the granting or issuance of new data-center permits and the receipt and processing of permit applications. It does not apply to municipal or emergency-service data infrastructure, small-scale server rooms of 500 square feet or less that are incidental to a permitted business, data-center component manufacturing, or businesses prohibited by law. No extension condition is stated.
People behind it
- Council as a whole
Named sponsor of the temporary data-center moratorium.
- All members
Identified as authorizing the sponsored moratorium measure.
- Aaron Johnstone
Second Ward councilman who originally introduced the moratorium.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
Imposes a temporary moratorium of up to 180 days on issuing or granting new permits for data centers within Niles’ corporate limits.
During the moratorium, the City must not receive or process applications for data-center permits, including applications under the listed zoning-code chapters and other applicable provisions.
Suspends and tolls legally prescribed deadlines and suspends officials’ obligations to act on data-center permit applications or site-plan reviews while the moratorium is in effect.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions7
The moratorium does not apply to small-scale server rooms that are incidental to a permitted business, remain under 500 square feet, and are not the property’s primary use. small-scale server rooms
The moratorium does not apply to manufacturing data-center components or hardware, including data-center showrooms that are incidental to those businesses. manufacturing of components and/or hardware
In the Mall District, manufacturing is a permitted use, and any use not listed is also permitted if it is not prohibited by law, providing a potential zoning path for a data center if it qualifies under one of those categories. Manufacturing and any use not listed above that is not prohibited by law
Mall District developments have no lot-coverage restriction and may reach 150 feet in height, subject to the district’s other requirements. no lot coverage restrictions and 150 feet in height
A complete permit application received before a zoning change must be reviewed under the zoning code in effect when the application was received, protecting qualifying data-center applications from later restrictions. reviewed by ... the Planning and Zoning Code in effect at the time
A lawfully established nonconforming data-center use may continue without obtaining a new occupancy-and-use permit. It generally cannot expand in intensity, floor area, or dedicated lot area, except for certain space manifestly arranged for the use and proportionate expansion allowed by the code; abandonment for at least six months ends the right to re-establish it. A nonconforming use may be continued
Nonconforming-use status runs with the land, so a lawful data-center use may continue after the property is sold, transferred, or conveyed. Nonconforming Use Status Runs with the Land
Sources
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