SAN ANTONIO – As San Antonio prepares to add more guardrails for where data centers can go in the Alamo City, the question now is how exactly the regulations will work.
At a recent council meeting, city staff briefed council members on two primary options for regulating data centers. The proposals center on either implementing a defined set of restrictions or requiring each data center project to receive individual council approval.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones also suggested a third option, which would mandate council approval for new data centers and include requirements such as restoring double the greenspace lost during construction.
The topic of data centers has sparked significant debate in Texas, with concerns ranging from their consumption of power and water to issues related to noise and air quality. Councilman Ric Galvan (D6), who represents a district with the majority of San Antonio’s data centers, has been a vocal advocate for stricter regulations. He believes that requiring council approval for each project is essential to ensure transparency and accountability to residents.
“I do not believe it is enough for residents just to know about the project. It is important for their public officials to also make clear where they stand on the project and to move it forward or not, depending on what the conversations look like,” he stated.
According to Development Services Director Amin Tohmaz, data centers are currently permitted in most areas of the city, excluding residential zones. The two options discussed would restrict them to areas zoned for industrial and heavy commercial uses, such as warehouses and regional shopping centers.
The first option, which includes more restrictions, emerged from discussions with stakeholders. It proposes that data centers be located at least 500 feet away from sensitive areas, including schools and residential neighborhoods, and mandates certain landscaping requirements. Additionally, it would require a setback of 50 feet from the property line and prohibit construction over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone.
The second option, born from prior council discussions, would allow for council discretion in imposing similar restrictions on a case-by-case basis, ultimately granting the council the final say on each proposed data center.
Options for data center regulation presented by San Antonio city staff at an Oct. 14, 2026 council meeting (City of San Antonio)
Mayor Jones proposed a hybrid model that would require council approval along with several additional stipulations, including a 45-day pre-filing notice and the enclosure of backup generators whenever possible.
Option for data center regulation presented by San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones at an Oct. 14, 2026 council meeting (City of San Antonio)
However, it remained unclear if her proposal for a “
