Cumberland County Enacts Data Center Moratorium; Fayetteville Considers Zoning Changes Amid Opposition
Cumberland County commissioners unanimously voted to impose a moratorium on new data centers to allow time to study the issue and draft an ordinance. In Fayetteville, the City Council scheduled a public hearing on proposed revisions to the Unified Development Ordinance that would add noise limits, setbacks, and buffers for data centers, despite residents advocating for a city-wide moratorium.
Data centers have emerged as the dominant local story in Cumberland County, North Carolina, throughout the first half of 2026, sparking significant debate among residents, developers, and local governments. Residents have voiced concerns regarding the potential impacts on the water supply, electrical grid, and environment.
In response to these concerns, Cumberland County commissioners unanimously voted on June 15 to enact a moratorium on new data centers. The pause is intended to provide county staff and commissioners with time to research the issue and develop a comprehensive ordinance outlining requirements for future data center developments within the county.
Meanwhile, in Fayetteville, the City Council addressed similar pressures from residents who urged a city-wide moratorium. Instead of a moratorium, the Council voted on June 8 to schedule an August 10 public hearing. This hearing will focus on proposed revisions to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) aimed at introducing specific regulations for data centers, including noise limits, setbacks, and buffers, as data centers are not currently defined in the city's UDO. The group Fayetteville Freedom For All has organized a community town hall to discuss these proposed changes and to continue advocating for a one-year data center moratorium.