Local ordinance
San Marcos — Citywide Zoning Ban on Data Centers
Where it stands
Lifecycle
- ✓
Proposed
Brought before the city or county as a proposed ordinance.
- ✓
Hearing
Studied with public input on its local impact.
- ✓
Vote
Put to a vote by the council or commissioners court.
- 4
Adopted — current stageJun 16, 2026
Approved and in effect locally.
In effect; a state-law challenge has been threatened.
What it does
On June 16, 2026, the San Marcos City Council voted 4–3 to amend its land development code to define data centers and make them ineligible in every zoning district — effectively barring new data center construction anywhere in the city. Reporting describes it as the first outright ban of its kind by a Texas city. It takes the form of a permanent zoning-code change rather than a temporary moratorium.
Why it matters
The ban is being watched as a test case for how much authority Texas cities retain to block water- and power-hungry data centers. A state senator has signaled a legal challenge, arguing it functions as a de facto moratorium capped by state law; land-use experts counter that a zoning change is not a moratorium.
Last action: Ban adopted by City Council (4–3) · June 16, 2026
Summary is our own words, for general information only and not legal advice. The stages shown reflect the standard Texas legislative process; follow the link above for the official record.