San Angelo writes data centers into its zoning code and makes them a conditional use only
San Angelo created Section 430 of its zoning ordinance, the first full land use rulebook for data centers in West Texas. New data centers are allowed as a principal use only by Conditional Use, and only in Light Manufacturing and Heavy Manufacturing districts. Each one comes back to a public hearing. The code caps buildings at 75 feet. It bars ground mounted equipment near residentially zoned property and limits noise to 55 dBa at the property line day and night. It also requires a sound modeling study before final site plan approval and a post development sound study after occupancy. The definition it adopted excludes cryptocurrency mining. The ordinance was introduced on May 5th, 2026 and passed on May 19th, 2026.
How to take part
Because data centers are a Conditional Use, every future application goes to a noticed hearing under Section 208. Neighbors get another bite each time rather than one vote on the whole category. The adopted ordinance and the city's data center page carry the standards a resident would measure a site plan against.
Where
1 county. In San Angelo.
Dates
| Date | What | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-20 | hearing | Planning Commission public hearing and recommendation for approval |
| 2026-04-22 | hearing | City Council special meeting for public input on the data center project and regulations |
| 2026-05-05 | hearing | Introduced with public hearing |
| 2026-05-19 | ordered | Finally passed by City Council, reported 6 to 0 |
| 2026-05-19 | effective | Ordinance effective date |
The evidence
Every fact above rests on one of these. The words are the source's own.
New data centers shall be permitted as a principal use by Conditional Use (CU) only, in accordance with procedures set forth in Section 208.Ordinance amending Chapter 12 Planning and Development, Exhibit A, Sec. 430 Data Center Primary source, official
An application for a CU may be made within ML (Light Manufacturing) and MH (Heavy Manufacturing) Districts.Ordinance amending Chapter 12 Planning and Development, Exhibit A, Sec. 430 Data Center Primary source, official
Maximum Height: 75 feet, measured at the top of the building plate (roof deck).Ordinance amending Chapter 12 Planning and Development, Exhibit A, Sec. 430 Data Center Primary source, official
Any noise that emanates from all activity associated with any data center is limited to a maximum sound level of 55 dBa during the daytime and 55 dBa at nighttime.Ordinance amending Chapter 12 Planning and Development, Exhibit A, Sec. 430 Data Center Primary source, official
A data center shall not include cryptocurrency mining.Ordinance amending Chapter 12 Planning and Development, Exhibit A, Sec. 430 Data Center Primary source, official
INTRODUCED with public hearing the 5th day of May 2026, and finally PASSED this 19th day of May, 2026.Ordinance amending Chapter 12 Planning and Development, City of San Angelo Primary source, official
Approved 6-0 at the May 19, 2026 City Council meeting.Data Center Information, City of San Angelo Primary source, official