Data Centres in Oakville

Find information about data centres, the planning process, and how residents can stay informed about potential and/or future proposals.

The information below is provided for general awareness.

The Town has not received any development applications for a data centre.

While land may be under consideration for a potential development, no application has been submitted and the statutory public planning process has not commenced.

An interim control by-law is currently in effect, temporarily restricting new data centre development in designated areas while the Town completes its planning review.

Updates

October 16, 2026

The appeal period for Interim Control By-law 2026-129 closed on October 1, 2026, with no appeals received. The by-law remains in effect while Town staff continue their review of planning policies and regulations for data centres.

Next steps

Town staff are continuing the planning review initiated following Council's approval of the interim control by-law on August 11, 2026. The findings will help determine whether changes to the Town's planning policies and regulations are needed to guide future data centre development.

For more information, read the news release: Oakville moves forward with data centre planning review

August 11, 2026

At a Special Council Meeting held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Oakville Council passed an Interim Control By-law (ICBL) to temporarily restrict development related to data centres for a period of one year. The ICBL will allow the Town to complete key planning studies, including land use, infrastructure capacity, electricity and water requirements, noise, environmental impacts and compatibility with surrounding areas. 

For details, read the news release: Oakville Council approves Interim Control By-law to support further study related to data centres

August 6, 2026

In response to the Mayor's direction, staff prepared the Mayoral Direction – Data Centres memo, available in the August 10, 2026 Council Meeting Addendum. 

The memo provides Council with an overview of opportunities and considerations associated with data centres and computing infrastructure, and outlines the legislative, servicing, environmental, economic development, and municipal policy considerations relevant to future projects in Oakville.

July 21, 2026

Mayor Rob Burton has directed the Town’s CAO to have staff prepare a memorandum to Council by August 10, 2026, examining the potential role of data centres in supporting artificial intelligence infrastructure in Oakville.  

The memo will assess: 

  • Servicing requirements, including water, wastewater, telecommunications, and utilities. 
  • Environmental and sustainable considerations 
  • Legislative and planning frameworks 
  • Economic development opportunities and impacts, and 
  • Municipal best practices and approaches  

For more information read the Mayor’s Direction from July 21, 2026 (pdf).

July 17, 2026

The Town posted a statement responding to inquiries regarding a potential data centre proposal. 

Read: Town of Oakville responds to data centre inquiries  

Background

Understanding data centres

A data centre is a building that contains computer servers and related equipment used to store, process and manage digital information. 

Data centres support many everyday services, including websites, online banking, cloud storage, streaming, and artificial intelligence. They can vary significantly in size and design and require reliable electricity, telecommunications connections, cooling systems, and backup power systems. 

Data centres are receiving increased attention as demand grows for digital services, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Organizations may choose to locate data infrastructure in Canada to support compliance with applicable Canadian privacy, data governance, and regulatory requirements. As a result, municipalities are seeing greater interest in data centre development and are considering environmental impacts, how these facilities fit within existing infrastructure and local planning frameworks. 

The Town's role in reviewing development applications

If a development application for a data centre is submitted, the Town would review the proposal through its established planning process to determine whether it is appropriate for the proposed location and meets all applicable planning and technical requirements. 

As part of this review, the Town would consider matters within its planning authority, which may include: 

  • compatibility with surrounding land uses 
  • electricity, water, and infrastructure requirements 
  • traffic and transportation impacts 
  • noise from cooling systems and backup equipment 
  • environmental and community impacts, and 
  • employment land and long-term growth objectives

The review would also include technical input from Town staff, external agencies, utilities, and service providers. The specific requirements and potential impacts would vary depending on the size, design, and location of the proposed facility. 

Stay informed!

Register for our e-alerts to receive updates on Town news, notices, and public engagement opportunities. 

If a development application is received by the Town, information about the application, including details on how the public can provide feedback, will be posted on the Town's website under Planning Public Notices.  

Opportunities for public input include a statutory public meeting which would form part of the Town’s formal planning review process, consistent with the requirements of the Planning Act.

Business & Development

Mayoral Directions

Mayoral Decisions and Directions are available online for public review.

Go to the Mayoral Decisions and Directions page

Active Development Applications

Current development and site plan applications in Oakville.

Go to the Active Development Applications page

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