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 Norman
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Slightly Anti-Data Center Policies
Norman’s enacted moratorium temporarily bars approval of evaporatively cooled data centers expected to use over 250,000 gallons of potable water daily, through June 9, 2027, or earlier zoning changes.
Rating from Oklahoma statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for City of Norman.
current law · City of NormanWould impose a temporary moratorium on covered data-center applications in Norman while the City evaluates zoning, infrastructure, utility, environmental, buffering, and operating requirements through Ordinance No.Norman Data Center Moratorium (2026)
What this means
The proposed moratorium would stop new approvals for data centers using evaporative cooling and expected to use more than 250,000 gallons of potable water per day, until June 9, 2027, or earlier zoning changes. That is a significant temporary barrier for large water-intensive projects, but smaller facilities and other cooling types are outside the stated restriction (covered projects).
Timing
- Ends
- The earlier of 2027-06-09 or the effective date of a City Council zoning amendment adopting new data-center use units and regulations.
The moratorium applies to data centers using evaporative cooling projected to consume more than 250,000 gallons of potable water per day. Its expiration date may be modified by a subsequent city ordinance.
People behind it
- Rickey J. Knighton IIWebsite
Identified as the requester and presenter of the moratorium ordinance.
- Norman City Council
Considered the ordinance and voted unanimously to enact the moratorium.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Until June 9, 2027, or earlier if a data-center zoning amendment takes effect, the city suspends acceptance, processing, and approval of rezoning requests, administrative approvals, permits, and building permits for constructing, expanding, or operating a data center that uses evaporative cooling and is projected to consume more than 250,000 gallons of potable water per day. The threshold is based on applicant information verified by the City Engineer or designee. The moratorium applies only to applications filed after it takes effect; aggrieved parties may appeal determinations to the Board of Adjustment, which may grant a variance for unnecessary hardship if consistent with the ordinance’s purpose and intent.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions4
The moratorium covers only data centers using evaporative cooling that are projected to consume more than 250,000 gallons of potable water per day. Data centers below that threshold, or using other cooling systems, are outside this moratorium’s restriction: the specified cooling and water-use threshold.
Applications filed before the ordinance takes effect are exempt from the moratorium: only applications filed after the effective date.
A party aggrieved by a determination under the ordinance may appeal to the Board of Adjustment, which may grant a variance for unnecessary hardship if the ordinance’s purpose and intent are met: appeal and variance process.
The moratorium ends no later than June 9, 2027, and can end sooner if the City Council adopts zoning amendments for data centers: the moratorium’s expiration terms.
Sources
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