Charlotte City Council Extends Data Center Moratorium Through October 2027

Charlotte City Council unanimously extended the city’s temporary moratorium on accepting, processing and approving applications for new data centers and related telecommunications and data storage facilities through Oct. 18, 2027. The action moves the moratorium’s expiration date back nearly 11 months from Nov. 5, 2026.

City officials cited concerns about electricity demand, water consumption, noise, heat, lighting, pollution and potential increases in utility costs. The city is studying the issue through research commissioned from the World Resources Institute, a 19-member community task force and public engagement efforts, while also evaluating whether existing zoning rules adequately address different types and sizes of facilities.

Residents, labor representatives and business groups offered competing views. Supporters said a longer pause was needed to establish protections for neighborhoods and environmental safeguards, while opponents emphasized construction jobs, apprenticeships and local economic benefits and urged the city to adopt clear standards instead of delaying projects indefinitely. The extension is not a permanent ban, and some projects may remain exempt under state law or existing approvals.