City Delays Data Center Ordinance to Dec. 10
Rapid City staff will recommend pushing the data center rules to a December Planning Commission meeting after collecting public survey feedback.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Data Centers
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Rapid City Community Development staff are recommending that the city delay action on its data center ordinance until Dec. 10. The recommendation follows an Oct. 14 open house and survey that drew public input on the proposed rules.
Why it matters
Staff want more time to incorporate edits drawn from public feedback before the rules move forward in Rapid City. The delay gives residents another opportunity to weigh in on where micro and large-scale data centers should be allowed.
The city's public input came from about 150 responses at the in-person open house and survey, plus 790 responses through the online survey that remained open through Monday. The Planning Commission will be asked whether a month is enough time to revise the rules.
The players
Rapid City Community Development
The city department responsible for land use planning and development rules, including the data center ordinance under review.
Jessica Olson
Planning Manager for Rapid City who said staff will identify public comments and present them to the Planning Commission.
Vicki Fisher
Community Development Director for Rapid City who said staff will ask the Planning Commission whether a month is enough time for revisions.
The details
Staff will present public comments to the Planning Commission so that additional requirements or clarified language can be drafted. The revised rules are to be released for additional public comment before the Planning Commission and City Council review them.
Timeline
Oct. 14: The city held an informational open house and interactive survey.
Monday: The online version of the survey closed after collecting 790 responses.
Thursday, Nov. 5: Staff will recommend the delay at the Planning Commission meeting.
Dec. 10: The revised ordinance is scheduled for the Planning Commission's meeting.
Roadmap
The Rapid City data center ordinance is being shaped through a public survey process that asked residents whether proposed rules are appropriate, too restrictive, or not restrictive enough. The Dec. 10 Planning Commission meeting will determine whether the revised ordinance moves forward.
Residents who want a say in where data centers can be built can respond to the city's survey or comment before the revised rules are released. The Dec. 10 meeting will set the timeline for whether those rules take effect.
The takeaway
Cities revising data center rules are weighing public input on where these facilities should be located. Residents who want to influence the outcome can watch for the revised draft before the December meeting.
What happens next
The Planning Commission is scheduled to consider the revised data center ordinance at its Dec. 10 meeting.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in the Data Centers section for context on how cities are regulating these facilities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kotatv.
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