Anchorage Blocks New Data Centers in ‘Residential Zones’
The ordinance adopts a new land use policy and environmental disclosure requirements for data centers.
WASHINGTON, April 10, 2026 - As community concern around data centers is beginning to reach a fever pitch, some cities are attempting to get ahead of the curve.
Anchorage’s City Council passed on a 10-2 vote a city ordinance that defined for the first time land use policy specifically for data centers within its city limits. The city banned new data centers in "residential zones."
The ordinance attempts to preempt the surge in data center construction anticipated for Alaska due to its cooler climate. Anchorage currently has one colocation data center within its boundaries, according to the law group Davis, Wright Tremaine.
