The Fort Worth Zoning Commission will consider public input on Wednesday regarding proposed amendments to city zoning codes for data centers. This meeting represents the latest step in a process designed to address resident concerns about the environmental and community impact of these facilities.
The draft regulations, first introduced in June, aim to establish specific standards for data center operations while acknowledging the economic advantages they bring to the city. According to a presentation delivered in June, data centers have contributed more than $83 million in gross property tax revenue to Fort Worth over the previous five years.
Key provisions in the proposed amendments include a mandatory 250-foot buffer zone between data centers and residential districts. The rules would also require landscaping and screening for facilities located near homes. Standby generators would be prohibited within 300 feet of residences and must be permanently screened. Additionally, the proposal mandates acoustic barriers for rooftop cooling equipment and imposes restrictions on lighting near residential areas.
The commission is also evaluating changes to broader city policies. These updates would modify noise ordinances, water usage rules, and the criteria for economic development incentives. Commissioners are considering restricting new data centers to industrial zoning districts. They are also discussing a reclassification of cryptocurrency mining to allow for tighter regulation regarding noise and resource consumption.
These local efforts coincide with a surge in data center development across Texas. ERCOT, the entity managing the state's electric grid, estimates that requests from large power users could quadruple electricity demand in Texas over the next decade. A February 2026 report from ERCOT indicated approximately 410 gigawatts of large load requests, with roughly 87% originating from data centers.
