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Fort Smith, AR Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

I-1 status
Conditional use
I-2/I-3 status
Permitted by right
Definition scope
Covers blockchain & crypto mining
Excluded
Barred from commercial/residential/MEOS zones

Summary

Fort Smith's UDO defines 'data center' broadly enough to cover blockchain and cryptocurrency-mining facilities, then confines the use to industrial zoning: a conditional use in Industrial Light (I-1) and a by-right use only in Industrial Moderate (I-2) and Industrial Heavy (I-3).

Data center shall mean a building, dedicated space within a building, or group of structures used to house a large group of computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and data processing systems to be used for the remote storage, processing, or distribution of large amounts of data. Such data include, but are not limited to computationally-intensive applications such as blockchain technology, cryptocurrency mining, weather modeling, and genome sequencing. Facilities may also include air handlers, power generators, water cooling and storage facilities, utility substations, and other associated utility infrastructures to support operations.

Data processing facility shall mean an establishment primarily involved in the compiling, storage, and maintenance of documents, records, and other types of information. This term does not include general business offices, computer-related sales establishments, and business or personal services.

Day care center means a facility operated for the purpose of providing care, protection and guidance for 12 or more individuals during only part of a 24-hour day. The term "day care center" includes nursery schools, preschools, day care centers for individuals, and other similar uses but excludes public and private educational facilities or any facility offering care to individuals for a full 24-hour period.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).

Full Breakdown

Section 27-201 defines 'data center' as a building or group of structures housing large computer systems for remote data storage, processing, or distribution, expressly including computationally-intensive loads like blockchain, cryptocurrency mining, weather modeling, and genome sequencing. The citywide Land Use Matrix, § 27-400, Appendix A, lists 'data center' as a conditional use requiring planning-commission approval in the Industrial Light (I-1) district, and as a straightforward permitted use in Industrial Moderate (I-2) and Industrial Heavy (I-3). It has no listing at all, meaning it's not allowed, in any commercial, residential, or MEOS district, so a would-be data center operator must locate on industrially zoned land.

Violations & Fines

Siting a data center in a commercial, residential, or MEOS-zoned building, or in I-1 without conditional-use approval, is a zoning violation that can trigger a stop-work order or permit denial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a data center be built in a Fort Smith commercial district?
No. The Land Use Matrix (§ 27-400) doesn't list 'data center' as permitted, conditional, or accessory in any commercial district: only Industrial I-1 (conditional), I-2, and I-3 (by right) qualify.
Does Fort Smith's code specifically address cryptocurrency-mining facilities?
Yes, § 27-201 defines 'data center' to expressly include blockchain technology and cryptocurrency mining among the computationally-intensive uses it regulates, then restricts those facilities to industrial zoning.

Sources & Official References

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