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 Lewisville
Anti-Data Center Policies
Lewisville requires new data centers to obtain a special-use permit and undergo two public hearings, where approval can be denied. They are barred from residential areas but may be allowed in industrial or warehouse areas after impact review.
current law · City of LewisvilleThis amendment adds a definition for data centers and requires a special-use permit for data centers in specified industrial and other nonresidential districts while prohibiting them in residential areas.City of Lewisville Unified Development Code amendment, Legistar file 26-4615 (2026)
What this means
The measure would make new data centers obtain a Special Use Permit, face two public hearings, and risk denial; residential locations would be barred, while allowed industrial and warehouse locations would be reviewed for impacts such as water, power, and noise (permit and review requirements). That is a significant barrier to new projects and expansions, though it is not a citywide ban because some nonresidential districts could still allow them.
People behind it
- City staff
Recommended using the special use permit process to regulate data centers and prepared the proposed UDC amendment.
- Planning and Zoning Commission
Recommended the proposed Unified Development Code amendments before City Council consideration.
- Lewisville City Council
Considered and adopted the ordinance amending the Unified Development Code to define and regulate data centers.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements5
Data centers are prohibited in residential areas.
New data centers in Light Industrial, Warehouse, and Heavy Industrial districts require a Special Use Permit (SUP) instead of being allowed by right.
Each SUP application must undergo a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission and a second public hearing before the City Council.
The City may impose conditions on an approved SUP or reject the proposal based on compatibility with surrounding uses and community facilities, water and electrical infrastructure capacity, noise, and environmental impacts.
Data centers are subject to specific minimum parking requirements added to the Unified Development Code.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions5
Creates a formal "Data Center" land-use category, giving these facilities a defined regulatory path instead of treating them only as distribution warehouses.
Allows data centers in specified nonresidential districts, including Light Industrial, Warehouse, and Heavy Industrial districts, subject to approval of a Special Use Permit (SUP).
Allows a data center as a use in the Accessory and Warehouse and Storage use categories, subject to the applicable zoning-district restrictions and SUP requirement.
Protects existing data centers by treating them as legal nonconforming uses, allowing existing facilities to continue operating even though future data centers must satisfy the new zoning rules.
Adds data centers to the Unified Development Code's parking-requirement schedule, establishing a specific parking standard for the use rather than leaving it subject to classification as another type of facility.
Sources
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