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.
Washington Township
Anti-Data Center Policies
Washington Township adopted an ordinance allowing data centers to seek special-exception approval in three commercial and industrial districts, subject to reviews and operating conditions covering noise, water, power, environmental impacts, and decommissioning.
current law · Washington TownshipOne text describes Ordinance O015-2026 as amending Chapter 285 and adding data centers to the uses prohibited in all zoning districts (amends Chapter 285; prohibited in all zoning districts).Washington Township Ordinance O015-2026
What this means
The township adopted an AI data center ordinance, and the notice describes a pathway to approval by special exception in three commercial and industrial districts. But it also lists many data-center-specific reviews and operating conditions, including noise, water, power, environmental impacts, and decommissioning, adding meaningful costs and delay (special-exception approval and requirements); the minutes record the ordinance’s adoption (adopt the AI Data Center Ordinance).
People behind it
- Township Council of Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey
Introduced and adopted Ordinance 0015-2026 amending the Township zoning code to define data centers and prohibit them in all districts.
- Christine Ciallella
Township Clerk who attested the ordinance and was directed to publish notice of its passage and file copies with the required agencies.
- Anthony DellaPia
Mayor who approved Ordinance 0015-2026.
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- Board of Supervisors of Washington Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Proposed and adopted the zoning-ordinance amendment regulating data centers and data-center accessory uses.
- Romnie Long
Moved adoption of the Pennsylvania AI Data Center Ordinance No. 2026-1.
- Thomas Powanda
Seconded the motion to adopt the Pennsylvania AI Data Center Ordinance No. 2026-1.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements12
Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey prohibits data centers in all zoning districts.
The New Jersey ordinance applies the prohibition broadly to data centers and functionally equivalent uses, structures, or facilities, including facilities supporting cloud services, streaming, cryptocurrency mining, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other computing or data-storage purposes.
The New Jersey ordinance does not take effect immediately; it becomes effective 30 days after final passage by the Township Council or 20 days after mayoral approval, whichever occurs first.
Before adoption, the New Jersey ordinance must be referred to the Township Planning Board for review, and the Planning Board has 35 days after referral to report on whether the proposal is substantially consistent with the Master Plan.
Washington Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania allows data centers and data center accessory uses only by special exception in the C-Commercial, LI-Light Industrial, and GI-General Industrial districts, creating an additional zoning approval requirement.
The Pennsylvania amendment imposes dimensional standards, landscape buffers, and screening and fencing requirements on data centers and data center accessory uses.
The Pennsylvania amendment imposes noise, vibration, and other performance standards, together with post-construction verification and ongoing compliance requirements.
The Pennsylvania amendment requires review of potential negative impacts and an environmental and community impact analysis.
The Pennsylvania amendment establishes requirements concerning water and sewer service, power supply, safety, emergency planning, spill prevention, and pollution prevention and control plans.
The Pennsylvania amendment establishes requirements for electronic-waste disposal and emergency contact information.
The Pennsylvania amendment establishes requirements for parking, off-street loading, lighting, and project phasing.
The Pennsylvania amendment requires a decommissioning plan for data centers and data center accessory uses.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Allows data centers and data center accessory uses in the C-Commercial, LI-Light Industrial, and GI-General Industrial districts through the special-exception approval process, subject to the ordinance’s additional requirements.
Sources
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