Montgomery County TN proposed data center zoning rules (2026)
Montgomery County, Tennessee — Regional Planning Commission Approves First Data-Center-Specific Zoning Rules (M-1/M-2 Only, 10-100 Acres, Noise Plan, Utility Letters, Operator Pays Infrastructure Costs); County Commission Vote Pending (September 2026)
Montgomery County, TN · Montgomery County, Tenn., proposed data center zoning amendment (RPC approval Sept. 22, 2026)
- Status
- Proposed / pending
- Applies to
- Data center developers in unincorporated Montgomery County
- Enforced by
- Montgomery County Building and Codes; Regional Planning Commission; County Commission
Montgomery County, Tennessee is moving to adopt its first zoning rules written specifically for data centers. The proposal would allow data centers only in M-1 and M-2 industrial zones through a reviewed (conditional) process that includes a public hearing, on sites of 10 to 100 acres, with 100-foot setbacks, a noise plan, proof of water supply, written statements from TVA and local utilities on power and gas capacity, and a requirement that the owner pay all infrastructure improvement costs rather than passing them to ratepayers. The Regional Planning Commission approved it on September 22, 2026; the County Commission must still vote. If approved, the rules would apply to proposed data centers and to expansions of existing facilities.
Who is protected: Montgomery County residents and utility ratepayers
Legal detail
Montgomery County, Tenn. (unincorporated; Clarksville not covered — RPC Director Jeff Tyndall said something similar could follow for the city). PROPOSER: Montgomery County Building and Codes Department. ACTION: Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission approved the zoning update Tuesday 2026-09-22 with one dissent (Clarksville Now article published Wed Sept 23, 2026 says 'Tuesday' = Sept 22, 2026; Fox 17 also says 'Tuesday'). CONTENT (Clarksville Now): permitted-on-review use in M-1/M-2 (Fox 17: conditional use); minimum 10 acres, maximum 100 acres; 100-foot setbacks from zones other than M-1/M-2; noise plan; noise not to exceed 3 dB over ambient or 55 dB at adjoining non-M-1/M-2 property lines (described by Tyndall at the RPC's Friday informal meeting); letter from municipal water source or surface water study; written statements from TVA and local utility providers on electricity and natural gas; owner/operator responsible for all infrastructure improvement costs, which may not be passed to ratepayers; Board of Zoning Appeals review with its own public hearing before the Planning Commission. Fox 17: rules would apply to proposed data centers and expansions of existing facilities. NEXT: Montgomery County Commission vote (date not stated). NOT ESTABLISHED: resolution number; commission vote date.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Montgomery County, TN |
|---|---|
| Level | County |
| Citation | Montgomery County, Tenn., proposed data center zoning amendment (RPC approval Sept. 22, 2026) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Not stated in the located sources |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy · consumer protection |
| News report | Future data centers to require public hearing under new rules proposed for Montgomery County — Clarksville Now |
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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