Maricopa County AZ Modernized Zoning Ordinance — First Data Center Use Category

On December 10, 2025, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a comprehensive modernized Zoning Ordinance, effective January 9, 2026. The ordinance defines data centers in Maricopa County zoning for the first time and limits them to two industrial districts: IND-2 (general industrial) and IND-3 (heavy industrial). Land not currently zoned for data centers must go through the county's rezoning process. The update was the first comprehensive revision of the zoning ordinance in decades and followed a nearly six-month stakeholder process with over 160 participants and an online public survey.

Technical detail

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance update unanimously adopted 2025-12-10; effective 2026-01-09. Data centers permitted only in IND-2 and IND-3. Six-month public process; first comprehensive ZO update in decades.

Who is protected: Maricopa County, AZ residents

Who must comply: Data-center developers and operators seeking permits, rezonings, or approvals in Maricopa County, AZ

Key facts

More AI rules in Maricopa County, AZ

• Maricopa County AZ Modernized Zoning Ordinance · In effect

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