Missoula County, MT Interim Zoning Moratorium on Data Centers (First in Montana)
Missoula County, MT · Missoula County, MT interim zoning moratorium on data centers, adopted July 9, 2026 (up to one year)
Missoula County became the first county in Montana to pause data center development, adopting a temporary interim zoning moratorium on July 9, 2026. The pause can last up to one year and applies to the unincorporated county — not inside the City of Missoula. The county must begin studying data center regulations within 30 days.
Technical detail
Missoula County (MT) commissioners' interim zoning action July 9, 2026 under Montana interim-zoning authority: moratorium on data center development for up to one year (expires_date set at maximum term, 2027-07-09). Scope: unincorporated Missoula County; City of Missoula excluded. Includes a 30-day study-commencement requirement. First data center moratorium adopted in Montana.
Who is protected: Residents of unincorporated Missoula County, MT
Who must comply: Data center developers seeking approvals in unincorporated Missoula County, MT
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Missoula County, MT |
|---|---|
| Level | County |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Effective date | 2026-07-09 |
| Enacted | 2026-07-09 |
| Citation | Missoula County, MT interim zoning moratorium on data centers, adopted July 9, 2026 (up to one year) |
| Enforced by | Missoula County, MT Community and Planning Services; Board of County Commissioners |
| Penalties | Permit/application denial during moratorium |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| Last verified | 2026-07-19 |
| Official source | Missoula County adopts temporary moratorium on data centers — Montana Free Press ↗ |
Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere
- SB 484 (FL Data Center Costs) · In effect
- Maine Data Center Moratorium (vetoed) · Vetoed
- VA Data Center Siting Bill (Vetoed) · Vetoed
- VA Data Center Tax Exemption · In effect
- VA Data Center Cost-Allocation Law · In effect
- Texas SB 6 (Data Center Grid Law) · In effect
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