Data Centers

The final Planning Commission recommendations on data centers as amended and approved June 10, 2026 meeting are located here: Updated File No. PDA-003-26-ZTX

Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer has introduced Board Bill 49 Data Center Zoning Regulations at the June 17th, 2026 Board Meeting, cosponsored by Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier and Alderwoman Shameem Clark-Hubbard. In addition, Alderwoman Schweitzer filed Board Bill 48 Data Center Environmental Impact Monitoring.

On June 30th and July 7th, 2026, the HUDZ Committee adopted amendments in Committee which are now incorporated in Board Bill 49 As Amended In Committee (BB49AAIC). The Planning Commission voted to approve all amendments to the regulations in their July 8th meeting.

The amendments in committee were as follows:

Amendment 1 sponsored by Alderman Rasheen Aldridge: Adds requirement that the Board of Aldermen raises their threshold of support for a Public Impact Agreement from a simple majority to a super majority. PASSED

Amendments 2-8 sponsored by Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer: Adds definitions of ‘Bundled’ and ‘Unbundled’ renewable energy credits to further clarify the renewable energy requirements established in this board bill; Modifies the renewable energy requirements by reducing the mandatory upon operation percentage, and further modifies the compliance pathways for 100% renewable energy; clarifies that the environmental engineer must be professionally credentialed and approved by the City of St. Louis; adds requirements for the submission of a fuel plan and screening; amends the definition of ‘Maximum Power Demand’ to include that it is measured from a single point of interconnection; expands the application requirement to include additional acceptable forms of documentation. PASSED

Amendments 9-10 sponsored by Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer: Clarifies the types of generators that require screening; clarifies that a manufacturer standard enclosure will satisfy the enclosure and screening requirements. PASSED

Amendment 11 sponsored by Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer: Clarifies the applicability of these regulations on new and existing data center facilities. PASSED

Amendments 12-16 sponsored by Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer: Amends the renewable requirements to allow for these to be met utilizing ‘unbundled’ RECs upon operation, and further clarifies the percentage of RECs allowable at year 5; clarifies the applicability and triggers for existing Data Centers in the city of St. Louis; clarifies that noise measurements submitted as part of the application process as conducted by a third party professional approved by the city; Removes a defined term "Local Renewable Energy Credits" no longer utilized within the text of the Board Bill. PASSED

Board Bill 49 was second read at the Full Board Meeting on July 10, 2026. No amendments can be offered during second reading.

The full Board of Aldermen debated BB49 on July 20th, 2026. The following amendments were proposed:

Amendments 1-2 sponsored by Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer: Updated the bill summary to reflect the bill contents; clarification on applicability of regulations. PASSED

Amendment 3: Not put forward for vote.

Amendment 4 sponsored by Alderwoman Jami Cox-Antwi: Allows an applicant to exceed the 30 percent cap only when the applicant both activates all net leasable ground-floor space with eligible active uses and commits specified community benefits through an agreement with the City as part of the conditional use permit. PASSED

Amendment 5 sponsored by Alderman Tom Oldenburg: Adds a process by which a facility can petition the Board of Public Service to waive a penalty, add an extension, or permit them to purchase additional unbundled renewable energy credits if they are unable to meet the renewable energy requirements for legitimate reasons outside of their control. PASSED

Amendment 6 sponsored by Alderwoman Jami Cox-Antwi: Amends setback requirements for educational and research institutions' data centers. PASSED

When substantial amendments are adopted, the legislation has to return to the Planning Commission before perfection and being finally passed. If the Planning Commission disapproves of the amendments, the board bill must have 10 votes to approve at the Full Board of Aldermen to be finally passed.