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 Middleton
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Pro-Data Center Policies
Middleton has enacted a temporary pause, lasting up to 12 months, on zoning certificates for principal-use data centers over 10,000 square feet; it ends sooner if the city adopts new rules and exempts facilities serving another allowed use.
Rating from Wisconsin statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for City of Middleton.
current law · City of MiddletonEstablishes a temporary moratorium under Section 10.03.40 on issuing zoning certificates for data centers used as a principal use with more than 10,000 square feet in one building or a collection of buildings, allowing Middleton to assess impacts and develop zoning protections.City of Middleton Ordinance Creating Section 10.03.40 (2026)
What this means
The measure would pause zoning certificates for principal-use data centers larger than 10,000 square feet for up to 12 months, making new construction or expansion as a data center substantially harder during that period (12-month moratorium). It has an exception for facilities serving another allowed use, and the pause ends sooner if the city adopts new data-center rules.
Timing
- Ends
- Twelve (12) months following the effective date of the ordinance, or until an amendment to Chapter 10 related to data centers is adopted and takes effect, whichever is earlier.
The ordinance does not state the effective date, so no specific calendar expiration date can be determined.
People behind it
- Middleton Common Council
Introduced and adopted Ordinance No. O1689 establishing the data-center moratorium.
- Department of Planning and Community Development
Directed to draft comprehensive data-center regulations during the moratorium.
- City Attorney
Designated to consult with the Department in drafting the data-center regulations.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Imposes a temporary moratorium on issuing zoning certificates for data centers used as a principal use when the floor area exceeds 10,000 square feet in a single building or collection of buildings. The moratorium lasts 12 months from the ordinance’s effective date or until a related zoning amendment takes effect, whichever occurs first. temporary moratorium
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
The moratorium does not apply to a data center whose principal use is to serve another use permitted on the zoning lot; the City may accept, process, and, if appropriate, approve its zoning certificate.
Sources
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