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.
Butler Township
Anti-Data Center Policies
Butler Township’s enacted ordinance permits data centers only in its Industrial district, subject to special-exception approval, size, height, and setback limits, environmental review, and extra approval for major expansions.
current law · Butler TownshipCounty correction: this measure concerns Butler Township, Luzerne County, not Butler County; the immutable county dimension is incorrect.Pennsylvania Butler Township Data Center Zoning Ordinance (2026)
What this means
The measure would allow data centers only in industrial zones and require special-exception approval, with limits on site size, building height, and setbacks. Environmental reviews and extra approval for major expansions would add meaningful costs and delays, though the ordinance would create a path for data center development. Only in the Industrial (I) Zoning District
People behind it
- Butler Township
Spent five months writing and revising the data center ordinance.
- Butler Township Board of Supervisors
Approved the ordinance and previously adopted a resolution deeming parts of the zoning ordinance invalid.
- Butler Township Planning Commission
Recommended adopting a curative amendment to address the zoning ordinance’s lack of data center regulations.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements7
Data centers are allowed only in the Industrial zoning district and require special-exception approval. Special exception only in the Industrial district
A data center lot must be at least 25 acres; principal buildings are limited to 50 feet in height and must be set back at least 100 feet from property lines. Minimum data center lot area of 25 acres
Facilities must be separated by 1,250 feet from certain zoning-district boundaries and by 600 feet from designated sensitive receptors. 600-foot separation from Sensitive Receptors
Applicants—not the township—must demonstrate that their projects meet every ordinance standard to obtain zoning approval. An applicant has to prove
The ordinance imposes environmental and operational requirements, including protections for environmental resources, private wells and springs, emergency-preparedness rules, and rules for backup generators and fuel storage. Protections for private wells and springs
Developers must conduct noise assessments before construction and verification testing after a facility begins operating. Noise assessments before construction
A material expansion requires a new or amended special-exception approval, along with other applicable land-development, zoning, building, and other approvals. A new or amended special exception approval
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
Data centers and accessory uses are permitted in the Industrial zoning district through special-exception approval, subject to the ordinance’s requirements. “permits data centers and accessory uses by special exception”
A data center may expand if it receives a new or amended special-exception approval and obtains other applicable approvals. “shall require a new or amended special exception approval”
Sources
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