Pennsylvania Municipalities Have Updated Data Center Rules
Local governments are refining land-use regulations to manage a growing wave of new data center development proposals.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Data Centers
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Pennsylvania municipalities have accelerated the adoption of land-use regulations to keep pace with a surge of data center proposals. Over the past year, state officials have reviewed 58 plans for new facilities.
Why it matters
State law requires local governments to accommodate every type of land use, forcing municipalities to create specific zoning frameworks for energy-intensive projects. Increasing demand for artificial intelligence has shifted the necessary scale and siting requirements for these structures.
At least 58 data center plans have engaged with the state for permitting discussions over the last year. In the Lehigh Valley, 57 of 62 municipalities have now adopted specific zoning regulations for these developments.
The players
Josh Shapiro
He is the Governor of Pennsylvania who signed an executive order regarding data center regulations in August 2026.
Cherelle Parker
She is the Mayor of Philadelphia who authorized the creation of a dedicated data center task force in September 2026.
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
This regional body assists local municipalities with land-use planning and currently tracks at least seven data center proposals.
The details
Municipalities rely on the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, originally enacted in 1969, to govern local zoning requirements. Planning commissions are tasked with conducting thorough reviews of how these projects affect water supplies, utilities, and the environment.
Timeline
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code was enacted in 1969.
Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order regarding data center regulations in August 2026.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker authorized a data center task force in September 2026.
State lawmakers are scheduled to return to Harrisburg next Monday.
The Big Picture
The current surge in data center proposals is testing the adaptability of the 1969 Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. This regulatory framework now serves as the primary mechanism for balancing local land-use rights against the modern demand for massive digital infrastructure.
Residents may see an increase in local planning meetings as municipalities refine zoning to address utility and environmental concerns. These regulatory changes could impact the proximity of new industrial data infrastructure to residential areas in the Lehigh Valley and beyond.
The takeaway
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is forcing local governments to modernize decades-old land-use codes to maintain community standards. Residents should monitor upcoming municipal meetings to understand how these zoning updates will influence the development landscape in their neighborhoods.
What happens next
State lawmakers are expected to debate potential adjustments to data center regulations when they return to session in Harrisburg next Monday.
Further reading
For broader context on how local governments manage large-scale infrastructure, visit our guide on Data Centers.
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