Lancaster PA data center zoning rules (2026)

City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania — City Council adopted zoning rules for data centers on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 (LNP photo caption). WGAL (July 14, 2026): council passed, Tuesday night, a motion amending the proposed zoning ordinance to clarify that two data centers approved before June 24 (216 Greenfield Road and 1375 Harrisburg Pike) are permitted; council says the ordinance reduces the number of properties where future data centers could be approved. PROVISIONS (LNP roundup): data centers limited to the SUBURBAN MANUFACTURING zone, with a zoning hearing required. CARVE-OUT: rules do not apply to the Lancaster AI Hub data centers planned on Greenfield Road and Harrisburg Pike; many provisions are similar to the community benefits agreement between those developers and the city. NOT ESTABLISHED: ordinance number, vote count, specific standards (noise, water, setbacks), effective date. CONTEXT (same roundup): Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code gives municipalities zoning authority but state law prohibits outright bans of a legitimate land use; Lancaster County Planning Commission issued a guide for municipal data center rules.