Model Ordinance for Regulating Data Centers at the Local Level (PA)

This is a model zoning ordinance titled “Protective Data Center Model Ordinance (March 2026)” designed for municipalities—specifically in Pennsylvania—to regulate data center development. It provides template legal language that local governments can adopt or adapt to control where and how data centers are built and operated, with a strong emphasis on protecting public health, safety, environment, and community welfare.
It is essentially a policy + legal toolkit for local officials and communities to:
• Create a Data Center Overlay District
• Require detailed studies (water, energy, ecological, etc.)
• Impose strict operational and environmental standards