Missoula City Council Closes Data Center Zoning Loophole
The Missoula City Council approved development-code amendments that close a loophole allowing data centers in facilities where they occupied less than half of the space. The city plans to consider additional data center regulations, while Council Member Kristin Jordan said she intends to propose a moratorium on new data center applications.
The Missoula City Council approved amendments to the city’s development code aimed at preventing data centers from operating citywide under a loophole in the zoning rules. The existing code limited data centers to heavy industrial areas, but the definition inadvertently allowed facilities occupying less than 50% of a building. The revised rules regulate data centers based on how their equipment is used rather than the amount of floor space they occupy.
City planner Lauren Stevens said Missoula will explore additional data center regulations after Missoula County updated its rules and the Montana legislative session concludes. Council Member Kristin Jordan said she plans to introduce a moratorium proposal to block new data center applications while further regulations are considered.