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 Madison
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Pro-Data Center Policies
Madison has enacted a measure pausing zoning approvals for up to 12 months for new data or telecommunications centers over 10,000 square feet when they are the property’s main use; smaller centers and secondary-use centers are excluded.
Rating from Wisconsin statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for City of Madison.
current law · City of MadisonEstablishes a 12-month moratorium on the City of Madison’s consideration and issuance of zoning certificates for data centers and telecommunications centers exceeding 10,000 square feet.Wisconsin ORD-26-00002 (Madison File 91135) (2026)
What this means
The measure would pause zoning approvals for new data centers and telecommunications centers over 10,000 square feet when they are the property’s main use, for up to 12 months (no approvals for new principal-use centers over 10,000 square feet). That makes building or expanding a large center substantially harder in the short term, though smaller centers and centers supporting another main use are outside the pause.
Timing
- Ends
- Twelve (12) months following the ordinance’s effective date (2027-01-24), or when an amendment related to data centers and/or telecommunications centers is adopted and takes effect, whichever is earlier.
People behind it
- Satya V. Rhodes-Conway
Listed as a sponsor of the ordinance. Sponsor listing
- Tag Evers
Listed as a sponsor of the ordinance. Sponsor listing
- Derek Field
Listed as a sponsor of the ordinance. Sponsor listing
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- Yannette Figueroa Cole
Listed as a sponsor of the ordinance. Sponsor listing
- Carmella Glenn
Listed as a sponsor of the ordinance. Sponsor listing
- MGR Govindarajan
Listed as a sponsor of the ordinance. Sponsor listing
- John P. Guequierre
Listed as a sponsor of the ordinance. Sponsor listing
- Sabrina V. Madison
Listed as a sponsor of the ordinance. Sponsor listing
- Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford
Listed as a sponsor of the ordinance. Sponsor listing
- Julia Matthews
Listed as a sponsor of the ordinance. Sponsor listing
- Sean O'Brien
Listed as a sponsor of the ordinance. Sponsor listing
- Michael E. Verveer
Listed as a sponsor of the ordinance. Sponsor listing
- Regina M. Vidaver
Listed as a sponsor of the ordinance. Sponsor listing
- Kate Smith
Identified as the ordinance’s drafter. Drafted by Kate Smith
- Office of the City Attorney
Directed, with DPCED and relevant City agencies, to draft a comprehensive ordinance during the moratorium. Directed to draft an ordinance
- Department of Planning, Community and Economic Development
Directed, with the Office of the City Attorney and relevant City agencies, to draft a comprehensive ordinance during the moratorium. Directed to draft an ordinance
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
For 12 months after the ordinance’s effective date, or until a related zoning amendment takes effect if sooner, the City may not issue zoning certificates for data centers or telecommunications centers used as the principal and primary use when their floor area exceeds 10,000 square feet. The moratorium covers the use’s floor area in a single building or collection of buildings; it does not apply when the facility serves another allowed principal use on the zoning lot. The moratorium applies to facilities with floor area greater than 10,000 square feet. It ends after twelve months or an earlier zoning amendment.
During the moratorium, existing telecommunications centers over 10,000 square feet are treated as nonconforming uses. They may undergo structural repairs or alterations only if the work does not exceed 50% of the building or structure’s total assessed value. Structural repairs or alterations may not exceed fifty percent.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
The moratorium does not apply to data centers or telecommunications centers that serve another principal use allowed on the zoning lot, so those facilities may still seek zoning approval. “serve another principal use allowed on the zoning lot”
Legally existing telecommunications centers may continue operating as nonconforming uses and may make structural repairs or alterations, provided the work does not exceed 50% of the building’s or structure’s total assessed value. The staff report says they may continue operating so long as they are not discontinued for 12 months or more. “may undergo structural repairs or structural alterations” “not discontinued for a period of 12 months or more”
Sources
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