RAPID CITY, SD – Rapid City’s Community Development Department will host an open house next week on a proposed ordinance regarding data centers in the community.

The open house is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14 from 5-7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers and the Circle of Friends Community Room of City Hall. Community Development staff will be available to share details of the proposed ordinance and take public feedback and input. 

The proposed ordinance amendment would add provisions to an ordinance adopted by the Rapid City Common Council in December 2024 which defined data centers and identified data centers as a permitted use in light industrial and heavy industrial districts. The proposed provisions include distance to residential, extent of power, water and sewer usage, and noise and vibration standards to mitigate the impacts of data centers.

At its September 10 meeting, the Planning Commission continued review of the item until its November 5 meeting to provide work on the proposed ordinance, which includes the opportunity for public review and feedback.