Hackettstown NJ Bans Data Centers Townwide
Hackettstown's Town Council voted 4-0 to prohibit data centers in every zoning district, including related infrastructure such as substations, generators and cooling systems. The preemptive ordinance took effect after approval and was justified by concerns about electricity demand, water consumption, noise and environmental impacts.
Hackettstown's Town Council approved Ordinance 2026-11 by a 4-0 vote on Oct. 8, making data centers a non-permitted use throughout the town. The ordinance also covers associated infrastructure, including electrical substations, transformers, generators and cooling systems, while exempting certain facilities serving the internal operations of licensed health-care providers. It took effect Oct. 9 and was adopted before any developer had submitted a proposal.
Officials cited potential electricity and water demands, as well as noise and environmental impacts, as reasons for the townwide prohibition. Any future applicant would need to seek a use variance and undergo review by the Hackettstown Land Use Board. The action comes amid a broader wave of municipal restrictions on data centers across New Jersey, alongside new state reporting and utility-rate requirements for large facilities.