Little Rock mayor proposes new regulations on data centers

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. presented a proposed set of regulations for future data centers to the city's Board of Directors on Tuesday, requesting a vote on June 2. The mayor stated the regulations were drafted by the city's Planning and Development Department to balance sustainable economic development with protections for residents and the environment, acknowledging high community interest in data center issues.

The proposal introduces three tiers of data centers—accessory, major, and hyperscale—each with specific zoning restrictions. For instance, hyperscale data centers would be confined to heavy industrial zones and require a 1,000-foot setback from non-industrial properties. Other provisions target water consumption by barring groundwater as a primary cooling source and regulating wastewater discharge. Noise limits would also be imposed, with larger facilities requiring pre- and post-construction acoustical studies and continuous on-site monitoring.

This regulatory push coincides with Google's plans for a 1.43 million-square-foot data center at the Port of Little Rock, expected to draw over 100 megawatts of power. The project's land was annexed and zoned for heavy industrial use by the Board of Directors in June 2025, also clearing the way for a future Amazon facility. City Director Lance Hines raised concerns that Arkansas' 2023 Act 851, which limits local government's ability to regulate data centers, might impact the proposal, though Mayor Scott assured that the state law was considered during drafting.

Separately, AVAIO Digital is planning a data center in south Pulaski County near Wrightsville. The Pulaski County Quorum Court recently referred proposed data center ordinances and resolutions to the county Planning Commission for a 90-day review, but these would not retroactively apply to the planned AVAIO facility.