Missoula Council Approved New Data Center Rules
The City Council passed amendments to the Unified Development Code governing data center definitions and local garage zoning.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Data Centers
Live Poll
Should local governments prioritize housing development flexibility over strict neighborhood building size regulations?
Missoula City Council members voted unanimously to update the definition of data centers within the city's code. The new rules now mandate a public hearing for any future data center construction projects.
Why it matters
Updating the data center definition aims to ensure residents and officials have a formal platform to review projects before they begin. Simultaneously, the council addressed residential development concerns by easing limitations on garage and driveway sizes.
The council removed a 25-foot maximum driveway width requirement, instead exempting single-car driveways of 25 feet or less from size restrictions. These changes follow debates over a 40% surface coverage limit and project constraints for developments like six-unit townhomes.
The players
Justin Ponton
He is a Missoula City Council member who introduced the amendment language regarding data center definitions.
Missoula City Council
It is the governing legislative body responsible for amending the Unified Development Code in Missoula, Montana.
The details
Council member Justin Ponton introduced the amendment language, which expands the data center definition using an and/or clause to broaden regulatory oversight. The council also addressed feedback from local contractors regarding current code, which had effectively banned three-car garages.
Timeline
The Missoula City Council meeting occurred on October 5, 2026.
Roadmap
These amendments reflect a growing trend of municipal governments asserting greater control over land-intensive infrastructure projects through Title 22 of the Missoula Unified Development Code. By balancing industrial oversight with residential flexibility, the city is attempting to mitigate the friction between modern development needs and existing suburban layouts.
Residents may see more public hearings regarding potential data center construction in their neighborhoods as a result of the new definitions. Homeowners and local contractors will benefit from increased flexibility in garage construction and driveway sizing under the revised zoning rules.
The takeaway
The council's decision to pause further data center regulation acknowledges the role of state-level oversight in managing large-scale technological infrastructure. Locals should track upcoming legislative developments to see how state standards may eventually supersede or complement these new municipal definitions.
What happens next
City leaders plan to hold off on further local regulatory action until the upcoming Montana legislative session provides state-level guidance on data center development.
Further reading
For additional context on how local governments manage industrial infrastructure, visit the Data Centers section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Montana.
Live Poll
Should local governments prioritize housing development flexibility over strict neighborhood building size regulations?
