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.
Salt Lake County
Neutral Data Center Policies
Salt Lake County has enacted a measure starting work on data-center rules for unincorporated areas. It may cause some delay, but sets no operating limits or building moratorium, and the future requirements are unknown.
current law · County measureAdopted resolution initiating data-center-specific land-use rulemaking, not a completed zoning ordinance.Salt Lake County Council Resolution to Develop Data Center Regulations (2026)
What this means
The measure starts a process to create data-center rules for unincorporated areas, which could cause some delay, but it does not itself impose operating limits or a building moratorium. The county is only being asked to develop new regulations, and the sources do not say what those rules will require.
People behind it
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
Initiates code amendments addressing data centers, data center power plants and associated infrastructure in unincorporated areas; the resulting substantive standards are not verified as enacted.
The Tribune reports that the county will not consider new data centers until new rules are adopted. This is a reported interim effect; no fixed 180-day term is attributed to this resolution.
Staff are to evaluate land-use tools including conditional use permit requirements and utility consumption limits; these are potential future restrictions, not existing performance requirements established here.
Sources
Specific to Salt Lake County only.
pending · Unincorporated areasProposes initiating proceedings to amend the Salt Lake County Code of Ordinances concerning data centers, data center power plants, and associated infrastructure in unincorporated areas, with the item listed for discussion and a vote on September 15, 2026 (agenda.Salt Lake County Council Data Center 180-Day Moratorium Substitute Motion (2026)
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