Kalamazoo MI data center moratorium (2026)
Kalamazoo, MI — City Commission Resolution Pausing Data Center, Battery Storage and Crypto Mining Applications Through August 16, 2027 (August 2026)
Kalamazoo, MI · City of Kalamazoo, MI, City Commission resolution, data center moratorium (Aug. 17, 2026)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- October 5, 2027
- Applies to
- Applicants for data centers, battery storage, crypto mining and AI data centers in the City of Kalamazoo
- Enforced by
- City of Kalamazoo
The Kalamazoo City Commission voted unanimously in a late-night session on August 17, 2026 to pause applications for data centers, battery storage systems, crypto mining centers and AI data centers. The resolution keeps the pause active through August 16, 2027. Residents had raised concerns about noise, lighting, diesel generators, water use, wastewater and emissions after a cannabis processing facility was pitched as a data center site. The city is now working to write the moratorium into its zoning code so it is enforceable under the zoning code and state law; a City Commission public hearing on that change was set for its next meeting.
Who is protected: Kalamazoo residents
Legal detail
Kalamazoo, MI City Commission RESOLUTION, adopted unanimously Monday Aug. 17, 2026 (FOX 17 zoning article: 'The City Commission placed the moratorium on data centers on Aug. 17'; WOOD-TV Aug. 18: late-night session, unanimous). Scope: temporary moratorium on accepting or processing any applications for data centers, battery storage systems, crypto mining centers and AI data centers within the city. Term: resolution has the pause active through August 16, 2027 (date stated by WOOD-TV). Concerns quoted from the resolution (WOOD): noise/decibel levels, lighting, diesel backup generators, water usage, wastewater discharge, emergency fire response, greenhouse emissions. Trigger: Harbor Farmz cannabis processing facility pitched to potential buyers as a data center. Follow-up: Planning Commission public hearing (FOX 17, ~Sept. 3-4) on adding the moratorium to the zoning code; WKZO (Sept. 22): commissioners set a public hearing for their next meeting on zoning code amendments embedding the moratorium, which 'won't really be official for another couple of weeks'; Assistant City Planner Bobby Durkee: previous action 'was just a resolution'. NOT ESTABLISHED: resolution number; date/outcome of the zoning-code amendment.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Kalamazoo, MI |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | August 17, 2026 |
| Citation | City of Kalamazoo, MI, City Commission resolution, data center moratorium (Aug. 17, 2026) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Applications not accepted or processed during the pause |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| News report | Kalamazoo works to add data center moratorium to zoning code amid rapid growth of AI technology — FOX 17 |
Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere
- Superior WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Dane County WI Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- Madison WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Manitowoc County WI Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Dayton OH data center moratorium (180-day, Apr 2026) · In effect
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction. Every entry must carry a verifiable source.