Cincinnati extends zoning pause on data centers to study water and energy impacts

Cincinnati extends zoning pause on data centers to study water and energy impactsThe city council unanimously approved a nine-month extension of an interim development control district, removing by-right construction privileges for data centers while officials develop a formal zoning approach to manage their heavy water usage.

The council approved an ordinance extending Interim Development Control Overlay District No. 89 for nine months.

A councilmember cited the heavy water and energy usage of data centers as a primary reason for the extension.

The pause allows the city to conduct a formal zoning study and draft definitions for data center development.

Developers can still petition the city for projects, but cannot build by right during the interim period.

The Cincinnati City Council has unanimously approved a nine-month extension of an interim zoning control district for data centers, citing concerns over the facilities' substantial water and energy demands. During the April 1, 2026, meeting, the council passed an ordinance extending Interim Development Control Overlay District No. 89. The extension effectively pauses the by-right construction of data centers across the city, though developers can still petition the municipality for project approvals on a case-by-case basis. Addressing the council, Councilmember Jeffries highlighted the resource-intensive nature of the facilities as a primary driver for the regulatory pause. "As we all know, data centers [are] growing like crazy. They use a lot of energy, use a lot of water," Jeffries said. He noted that while large companies located downtown require data center infrastructure, the city currently lacks a formal definition for data centers within its municipal code. The nine-month extension is designed to give the city time to conduct a comprehensive zoning study. The findings will be used to develop a "more thoughtful zoning approach" to manage the rapid growth of data centers and their corresponding impacts on local water and utility networks, Jeffries added.