Cleveland Council Proposes Citywide Moratorium on Data Center Permits
News ClipRealtor.com·Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH·5/4/2026
Cleveland City Council members have introduced an ordinance (Ord. No. 556-2026) proposing a citywide moratorium on all data center permitting. If passed, this would halt the review and issuance of zoning permits, certificates of occupancy, and other licenses for data center projects. The ordinance was listed on the City Planning Commission's May 1 agenda but has not yet received a full council vote.
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Gov: Cleveland City Council, City Planning Commission, Department of Public Utilities
Cleveland City Council members Kevin Slife, Brian Kazy, Joe Santana, and Blaine Griffin have introduced Ordinance No. 556-2026, which proposes a citywide moratorium on the review and issuance of all permits and licenses for data centers.
This proposed freeze would encompass zoning permits, certificates of occupancy, and other applications, including those handled by the Department of Public Utilities. If enacted, no data center project in Cleveland would be able to proceed through the permitting process. The ordinance was presented to the City Planning Commission on May 1 but has not yet been put to a full council vote. The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for May 15.