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 Jefferson
Neutral Data Center Policies
Jefferson city allows data centers in Heavy Industrial zones, while requiring utility reviews and potentially impact studies, setbacks, buffers, and parking limits. The description calls the ordinance both enacted and “would” create this path.
current law · City of JeffersonRegulates data centers by amending the City of Jefferson zoning code and making them a permitted principal use in Heavy Industrial zoning districts.Wisconsin City of Jefferson Ordinance 3-26 (2026)
What this means
The ordinance would create a clear path to build data centers by making them a permitted use in Heavy Industrial zones. But it also adds utility reviews, possible impact studies, setbacks, buffering, and parking limits, so the overall benefit is modest.
People behind it
- Ald. Obernberger
Introduced Ordinance No. 3-26 for its first reading before the Common Council.
- City of Jefferson Common Council
Adopted Ordinance No. 3-26 amending the zoning code to regulate data centers.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements9
Data centers are allowed as a principal and permitted use only in the Heavy Industrial (HI) zoning district.
Except for loading and unloading, all activities must occur entirely inside a building. The exception for Large-Scale Public Services and Utilities is subject to Section 300.03.12F.
Applicants must provide utility plans and operational-capacity information for water, electricity, fiber, and cooling systems for review by the Director of Public Works, who must determine whether sufficient capacity exists.
The Building/Zoning Inspector or Plan Commission may require a noise, traffic, utility, or other similar impact study.
The facility must have a buffer yard with a minimum opacity of 1.0 along every property boundary adjoining property that is not zoned Heavy Industrial.
All data-center buildings must be located at least 250 feet from residentially zoned property.
Buildings must comply with the exterior building design standards in Section 300.07.40.
A data center must provide at least one off-street parking space per employee on the largest work shift.
A data center may not provide more than 1.5 off-street parking spaces per employee on the largest work shift.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Data centers are expressly authorized as a principal and permitted use in the Heavy Industrial (HI) zoning district. (data centers as a principal use)
Sources
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