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 Harrisonburg
Anti-Data Center Policies
Harrisonburg restricts data centers to industrial zones and requires a special-use permit, public hearings, and City Council review, which can delay projects. It does not ban them or set new operating rules.
current law · City of HarrisonburgThis ordinance adds a definition of “Data Centers” to Harrisonburg’s zoning ordinance and excludes ordinary server rooms or information-technology infrastructure that is accessory to another principal use.Harrisonburg City Ordinance Amending and Re-enacting Title 10, Chapter 3, Sections 10-3-24 and 10-3-97 — Data Centers (2025)
What this means
The measure would limit data centers to industrial zones and require a special-use permit, adding public hearings, City Council review, and potential delays; it would also remove some business-zone locations where they were previously allowed (restricted to industrial zones). It does not ban data centers or impose new operating rules, but the narrower siting options and case-by-case approval are meaningful hurdles.
People behind it
- City Council
Enacted and approved the ordinance adding data centers as a special-use-permit use in the M-1 district.
- City officials
Developed the zoning amendment establishing additional regulatory control over data center construction.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements4
Data centers are permitted only in M-1 industrial zoning districts through a special use permit; they are no longer automatically allowed in certain business zones.
Building or expanding a data center requires a special use permit, adding a discretionary approval process beyond ordinary zoning approval.
A special-use-permit application for a data center requires a public hearing and approval by City Council.
Server rooms and information-technology infrastructure that are accessory to a site’s principal use are excluded from the data-center definition and therefore are not covered by these data-center zoning restrictions.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
Data centers are expressly permitted in the M-1 industrial district through a special use permit, creating a defined zoning pathway for construction and expansion. The permit process includes public hearings and City Council approval. Data centers
The ordinance defines data centers to include supporting infrastructure such as backup batteries, generators, air handlers, water-cooling and storage facilities, utility substations, and other associated utility infrastructure, allowing these components to be treated as part of the data-center use. It does not cover server rooms or information-technology infrastructure that is accessory to a site's principal use. Supporting equipment may include
Sources
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