Missoula County MT interim data center moratorium (eff. July 9, 2026)
Missoula County, MT Interim Zoning Moratorium on Data Centers (First in Montana)
Missoula County, MT · Missoula County, MT interim zoning moratorium on data centers, adopted July 9, 2026 (up to one year)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- July 9, 2027
- Applies to
- Data center developers seeking approvals in unincorporated Missoula County, MT
- Enforced by
- Missoula County, MT Community and Planning Services; Board of County Commissioners
Missoula County became the first county in Montana to pause data center development, adopting a temporary interim zoning moratorium on July 9, 2026. The pause can last up to one year and applies to the unincorporated county — not inside the City of Missoula. The county must begin studying data center regulations within 30 days.
Who is protected: Residents of unincorporated Missoula County, MT
Legal detail
Missoula County (MT) commissioners' interim zoning action July 9, 2026 under Montana interim-zoning authority: moratorium on data center development for up to one year (expires_date set at maximum term, 2027-07-09). Scope: unincorporated Missoula County; City of Missoula excluded. Includes a 30-day study-commencement requirement. First data center moratorium adopted in Montana.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Missoula County, MT |
|---|---|
| Level | County |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | July 9, 2026 |
| Citation | Missoula County, MT interim zoning moratorium on data centers, adopted July 9, 2026 (up to one year) |
| Penalties | Permit/application denial during moratorium |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| News report | Missoula County adopts temporary moratorium on data centers — Montana Free Press |
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
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