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.
Swatara Township
Anti-Data Center Policies
Swatara Township allows data centers only with conditional-use approval in industrial zones, requiring studies and an emergency plan. Height, setback, landscaping, and noise limits constrain projects, but do not ban them.
current law · Swatara TownshipAdopts zoning changes that add data centers as a use in the Industrial Zoning District and revise the Residential Forest District, following a public hearing and unanimous approval on August 13, 2026.Swatara Township Ordinance 2026-03 (2026)
What this means
The measure allows data centers only as a conditional use in industrial zones, adding an approval step and requirements such as sound and traffic studies and an emergency plan (conditional use in the Industrial Zoning District). Height, setback, landscape-buffer, and noise limits could constrain projects, so the overall effect is a meaningful added burden, though not a ban (35-foot maximum height and 300-foot setback).
People behind it
- Dean Patches
Moved to adopt Ordinance 2026-03 amending the Residential Forest District and regulating data centers.
- Joseph Motter
Seconded the motion to adopt Ordinance 2026-03.
- Swatara Township Board of Supervisors
Unanimously adopted Ordinance 2026-03 following a public hearing.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements9
Limits data centers to the industrial zoning district and requires approval as a conditional use.
Caps data-center building height at 35 feet.
Requires data centers to be set back at least 300 feet from residential zoning districts.
Requires a 25-foot landscape buffer.
Requires a sound study before construction and an as-built sound study after construction.
Limits noise to 67 decibels during the day and 57 decibels at night and on weekends.
Requires documentation from the electric service provider that will serve the data center.
Requires a traffic study.
Requires an emergency management plan.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Data centers are authorized as a conditional use in the industrial zoning district, creating a defined zoning pathway for their construction and operation, subject to the ordinance’s approval requirements and limits.
Sources
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