Yellow Springs Village Council Enacts 12-Month Data Center Moratorium

The Village Council of Yellow Springs, Ohio, passed Ordinance 2026-08 on Monday, May 18, enacting an emergency 12-month moratorium on new data center developments. The ordinance, which took immediate effect, suspends the issuance of all zoning permits and approvals for new data centers and expansions of existing facilities that would exceed an aggregate monthly demand or peak load greater than 2 megawatts. This temporary ban is set to expire on May 18, 2027.

The Village cited several concerns, including the reliability of the local power grid, potential increases in electricity prices, water availability, noise, aesthetics, and security. During the moratorium, the Village Manager, Planning and Zoning Department, Village Solicitor, and other relevant staff are directed to investigate and review the potential impacts of data centers on the community. The goal is to evaluate the need for text amendments to the Village's Zoning Code to better address data center uses and protect public health, safety, and general welfare.

The moratorium does not apply to "Auxiliary Data Centers," which are defined as facilities ancillary to a primary use, occupying less than 10% of a structure's footprint, serving internal enterprise functions, and not leasing services to non-occupants. Applications or permits submitted prior to the ordinance's effective date are also exempt. The measure was passed as an emergency action under the Village Charter.