Construction: permits; acoustic engineering report for data center; require to receive building permit. TIE BAR WITH: HB 6135'26, HB 6140'26, HB 6141'26, HB 6137'26, HB 6138'26, HB 6142'26

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Andrews and 27 co-sponsors

Data center building permits must include an acoustic report modeling current, construction, and operational noise, to compare with ambient levels and local standards.

bill electronically reproduced 06/25/2026

#construction:permits

Summary of HB 6139 (Michigan, 2025-2026)

Purpose and intent

This bill adds a new requirement to the building permit process for data centers. Specifically, it requires an acoustic engineering report to accompany an application for a data center building permit.

The overarching goal is to assess and compare projected noise from data center operations and construction against ambient noise levels and local noise standards, aiming to manage and mitigate noise impacts on nearby properties and residents.

Key provisions and changes

Amends the Stille-DeRossett-Hale single state construction code act (1972 PA 230) by adding new Sec. 10a.

Data center permitting requirement:

An application for a data center building permit must include an acoustic engineering report prepared by a licensed acoustic engineer.

Contents required in the acoustic report:

Baseline ambient noise levels at the property boundaries where the data center will be located, and near surrounding residential structures, prior to construction.
A model of the operational noise the data center is projected to produce (using ISO 9613-2 standards).
A model of the noise expected from the construction of the data center.
Comparison of projected ambient noise levels during 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. with those during 6:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m.
A comparison between the data center’s operational noise (per item 2) and any noise ordinance of the local unit of government. If no local noise ordinance exists, the comparison uses a nationally recognized standard as determined by the department.

Enforcing agency responsibilities:

Upon receipt of the acoustic report, the enforcing agency must provide it to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) and to the local unit of government where the data center will be located.
The enforcing agency must review and comply with these requirements before issuing the building permit.

Definitions:

“Acoustic engineer” means a licensed professional engineer (per the Occupational Code, Article 20).
“Data center” means a facility (one or more buildings) designed to house data center equipment for centralizing storage and processing of data.

Effective date and conditional effectiveness:

The act takes effect 180 days after enactment.
The act’s effectiveness is contingent on the enactment of a set of related bills (HB 6135, HB 6137, HB 6140, HB 6142, HB 6138, HB 6141) in the same legislative session. The cross-references indicate a tie to multiple companion bills.

Who/what is affected

Data center projects seeking building permits in Michigan.

Local units of government that issue permits and enforce noise-related actions.

The Michigan Public Service Commission, which receives the acoustic reports.

Acoustic engineers, who must prepare the reports and ensure compliance with ISO standards and licensing requirements.

Procedural/timeline aspects

Procedure:

Before a data center permit is issued, the enforcing agency must obtain and review an acoustic engineering report and share it with the MPSC and the local government.

Timeline:

The act becomes effective 180 days after enactment.
Enactment is contingent upon the passage of a group of related bills (a “tied” package), with specific bills listed as predecessors to full effectiveness.

Notes

The bill includes detailed technical standards (ISO 9613-2 for noise modeling) and aligns with professional licensing requirements for acoustic engineers.

The reporting and review process introduces an additional layer of analysis and potential permit conditions related to noise emissions for data centers.