Proposed Data Center Rules in Dallas Target Water Use, Noise, Neighborhood Impact
Dallas planning officials have proposed new data center standards addressing water consumption, noise, neighborhood buffers and site design. The Economic Development Committee deferred discussion of the proposal, which would amend the city’s development code and create size- and site-specific requirements.
Dallas planning officials have drafted development standards that would formally recognize data centers in the city’s zoning code and replace their current classification as communications exchange facilities. The proposed framework would create four size categories and apply stricter requirements to large facilities and projects on undeveloped land.
The rules would require qualifying projects to use closed-loop cooling or other water-free technology, conduct noise studies before and after construction, and provide landscaped buffers and acoustic enclosures near residential areas. The Economic Development Committee postponed its discussion until a future meeting, while staff plan to revise the proposal based on feedback. Council Member Chad West and fellow council members Zarin Gracey, Laura Cadena, Gay Donnell Willis and Paul Ridley had previously requested a public hearing on updating the development code.