Land and data-center sites, North Carolina
Research

Where North Carolina has paused data centers

County and town actions on data centers: moratoriums adopted, ordinances passed, votes pending, and proposals rejected. Every row links to the meeting record or local report.

Last updated 2026.09.2995 rowsDownload the data (CSV)

What the data shows

Local pauses on data centers spread quickly across North Carolina from late 2025 into 2026, mostly as twelve-month moratoriums while boards write zoning standards for the use. Some counties rejected a pause and some adopted an ordinance instead. A bill in the General Assembly proposed a two-year permit moratorium for the whole state and stalled in committee.

How to use it

Developers can see which jurisdictions have an active pause and which have written standards a project can meet. Reporters and planners can see the pattern by date. Landowners can see whether their county has acted.

How this dataset was built

Rows come from county and town meeting records, agendas, adopted ordinances, and local news reports of the votes. A row enters only when a public page confirms the action and the date. Moratoriums that cover only crypto mining are excluded. Actions we could not confirm on a live page are left out until we can.

Questions

Which North Carolina counties have a data center moratorium?

The table lists every county and town action we could confirm, with the date and the vote. Most adopted pauses run twelve months and expire on the anniversary of the vote unless extended.

Does a moratorium stop every data center?

No. A moratorium pauses new applications for the period the board sets. Projects already approved usually continue, and courts have exempted individual projects from a later pause.

Can I reuse this data?

Yes. The dataset is licensed CC BY 4.0. Cite FOUND and link to this page.

The data

JurisdictionCountyDateStatusWhat happenedSources
RaleighWake2026-09proposedRaleigh drafted a six-month data center moratorium in September 2026 with a council vote scheduled for October 6, 2026.[9][24]
Nash CountyNash2026-09adoptedNash County commissioners adopted on September 9, 2026 a moratorium on data centers and crypto mining in unincorporated areas until June 30, 2027.[47]
StatesvilleIredell2026-09adoptedStatesville City Council unanimously adopted a 180-day data center moratorium effective September 14, 2026; previously approved projects are not affected.[14][15]
Guilford CountyGuilford2026-09debatedGuilford County commissioners voted September 17, 2026 to hold an October 15 hearing on a moratorium of up to 180 days.[38]
Columbus CountyColumbus2026-09debatedColumbus County scheduled an October 5, 2026 hearing on a 90- to 120-day data center moratorium.[37]
SouthportBrunswick2026-09adoptedSouthport's Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a 15-month data center moratorium on September 10, 2026.[35]
Yadkin CountyYadkin2026-08adoptedYadkin County commissioners voted 5-0 for a two-year data center moratorium in unincorporated areas in August 2026.[45][46]
CaryWake2026-08adoptedCary approved an 18-month data center moratorium on August 27, 2026.[9][25]
WaxhawUnion2026-08adoptedWaxhaw's Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on data centers and crypto mining on August 11, 2026.[21]
Randolph CountyRandolph2026-08adoptedRandolph County commissioners amended the county data center ordinance to require closed-loop cooling and noise studies.[17]
FarmvillePitt2026-08adoptedFarmville commissioners unanimously adopted a 12-month data center moratorium in August 2026.[53]
GreensboroGuilford2026-08adoptedGreensboro City Council approved on August 18, 2026 a 180-day moratorium on data centers with power demand above 10 MW.[16][17][18]
Edgecombe CountyEdgecombe2026-08adoptedEdgecombe County approved a two-year data center moratorium on August 3, 2026, after adding data centers to its ordinance in November 2025.[9][27]
Durham CountyDurham2026-08adoptedDurham County commissioners voted 4-1 for a nine-month moratorium (to May 2027) on large data centers over 100,000 sq ft or using diesel backup or non-closed-loop cooling.[22][9]
FayettevilleCumberland2026-08debatedFayetteville City Council held an August 10, 2026 hearing on a data center moratorium without consensus and scheduled a special meeting for October 2026.[9][29]
WhitevilleColumbus2026-08adoptedWhiteville City Council approved a 12-month moratorium on data centers and crypto mining from August 25, 2026 to August 25, 2027.[36]
Alamance CountyAlamance2026-08adoptedAlamance County commissioners voted 5-0 on August 17, 2026 for a 12-month moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated areas.[19][20]
Surry CountySurry2026-07adoptedSurry County enacted a 60-day moratorium in June 2026 and a two-year data center moratorium in July 2026.[42][43]
Mount AirySurry2026-07adoptedMount Airy approved a 60-day moratorium on new data center projects on July 16, 2026.[39]
Stokes CountyStokes2026-07rejectedStokes County commissioners rejected a six-month data center moratorium in July 2026 after the planning board backed it.[40][41]
FranklinMacon2026-07adoptedFranklin Town Council unanimously approved a 12-month data center moratorium in July 2026.[51]
Davie CountyDavie2026-07adoptedDavie County commissioners unanimously approved a one-year data center moratorium in July 2026.[44]
Davidson CountyDavidson2026-07debatedDavidson County commissioners directed staff in July 2026 to draft a six-month data center moratorium, with a hearing set for August 24, 2026.[39]
Holly SpringsWake2026-06adoptedHolly Springs Town Council approved a moratorium of up to 12 months on data centers, data processing, and crypto mining in town limits and ETJ.[26]
HillsboroughOrange2026-05adoptedHillsborough adopted an initial 60-day data center moratorium in May 2026. A one-year extension was proposed for June 22, 2026.[49][50]
CharlotteMecklenburg2026-06adoptedCharlotte City Council unanimously approved a 150-day citywide data center moratorium on June 8, 2026, running through November 5, 2026.[23]
Cumberland CountyCumberland2026-06adoptedCumberland County adopted a six-month data center moratorium on June 15, 2026, expiring December 2026.[9]
AshevilleBuncombe2026-06adoptedAsheville City Council unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data center development on June 23, 2026.[30][31]
Boiling Spring LakesBrunswick2026-06adoptedBoiling Spring Lakes imposed a moratorium on data centers, data processing, and crypto mining from June 2, 2026 to no later than June 2, 2027.[33][34]
Northampton CountyNorthampton2026-05adoptedNorthampton County commissioners approved a 32-month data center moratorium on May 4, 2026.[48]
Harnett CountyHarnett2026-05adoptedHarnett County commissioners unanimously adopted a one-year data center moratorium on May 4, 2026, expiring May 3, 2027.[28][9]
DurhamDurham2026-05adoptedThe City of Durham adopted a 60-day data center moratorium on May 4, 2026 and extended it 10 months on June 15, 2026.[9]
WoodfinBuncombe2026-05adoptedWoodfin Town Council unanimously adopted a 12-month data center moratorium on May 19, 2026.[32][30]
Statewidestatewide2026-04not enactedHouse Bill 1189 (Datacenter Transparency Act) proposed a two-year statewide moratorium on data center siting permits from August 2026 but stalled in House Rules.[55][56]
Watauga CountyWatauga2026-04adoptedWatauga County commissioners unanimously passed a one-year data center moratorium on April 21, 2026.[5]
ApexWake2026-04adoptedApex approved a 12-month moratorium on data centers and crypto mining effective April 28, 2026.[8][9]
Swain CountySwain2026-04adoptedSwain County commissioners unanimously approved a 12-month data center moratorium on April 21, 2026.[10]
Rowan CountyRowan2026-05adoptedRowan County adopted a one-year moratorium on new data centers on May 4, 2026, expiring May 4, 2027.[11][12][57]
Orange CountyOrange2026-04adoptedThe Orange County Board of Commissioners voted 6-0 on April 21, 2026 for a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers.[13]
Lee CountyLee2026-04adoptedLee County added data center standards to its development code on April 20, 2026 (pre-application meeting, noise study, utility confirmation).[9]
SanfordLee2026-04adoptedSanford added data centers to its development code on April 21, 2026.[9]
ClydeHaywood2026-04adoptedClyde unanimously voted a one-year data center moratorium after an April 2026 hearing.[52]
BooneWatauga2026-03adoptedBoone unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data centers and crypto mining on March 23, 2026.[4]
Jackson CountyJackson2026-02adoptedJackson County enacted a one-year moratorium on data center development in early February 2026.[54]
CantonHaywood2026-02adoptedCanton's Board of Aldermen unanimously passed a 12-month moratorium on data centers, server farms, and crypto mines on February 11, 2026.[3]
Kings MountainCleveland2026-02adoptedKings Mountain approved a six-month moratorium on new data centers on February 26, 2026; council debated a 12-month extension in July 2026.[6][7]
Chatham CountyChatham2026-02adoptedChatham County adopted a 12-month moratorium on data centers, data processing, and crypto mining, effective until February 11, 2027; a judge later exempted the Eco TIP West project.[1][2]
WendellWake2026adoptedWendell adopted a data center pause through December 31 with no applications pending.[9]
Black MountainBuncombe2026adoptedBlack Mountain approved new zoning standards for data centers.[32][30]
Beaufort CountyBeaufort2026-09proposedBeaufort County proposed a one-year moratorium on data center development applications. The county postponed the formal public hearing and vote to October 5, 2026.[58]
Buncombe CountyBuncombe2024-11adoptedThe county approved zoning amendments defining data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations. The changes permit data centers meeting special requirements and prohibit cryptocurrency mining operations.[59][60]
HildebranBurke2026-03adoptedThe town replaced Cryptocurrency Mining with Critical Infrastructure Facilities in its zoning ordinance. The change subjects data centers to conditional zoning approval and development standards.[61]
Camden CountyCamden2026-08adoptedThe county adopted a five month moratorium on permitting data centers, data processing facilities, cryptocurrency mining operations, and associated uses. It runs through January 3, 2027 or until a zoning text amendment is adopted.[62]
NewportCarteret2026-09adoptedThe town adopted a moratorium lasting at least one year on new data centers, data processing facilities, and cryptocurrency mining operations. It applies within town limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction.[63][64]
Cherokee CountyCherokee2026-01debatedCounty commissioners discussed renewing a cryptocurrency mining moratorium and extending it to AI data centers in January 2026.[65]
Clay CountyClay2026-01adoptedClay County adopted a prohibition on commercial data centers with peak power demand of at least 2 megawatts on January 8, 2026. The ordinance excludes municipal planning jurisdictions and includes exemptions.[66][67]
Kings MountainCleveland2026-08adoptedKings Mountain extended its data center moratorium for one year in August 2026. The city states that the pause runs through August 24, 2027, unless ended earlier.[68][69]
Kings MountainCleveland2026-09proposedKings Mountain published draft data center development standards in September 2026 during its moratorium review. The city labels the document as a draft subject to revision.[68]
Cumberland CountyCumberland2026-09proposedCumberland County presented draft data center zoning standards to the Joint Planning Board on September 15, 2026. The draft remains under review and has not been adopted.[70][71]
Davidson CountyDavidson2026-08not enactedA six-month data center moratorium failed on August 24, 2026, after county commissioners split three votes for and three against.[72][73]
Davidson CountyDavidson2026-09debatedDavidson County revisited its data center moratorium discussion on September 28, 2026. A motion passed four votes to two, but the published vote does not state that a moratorium was adopted.[74][75]
Edgecombe CountyEdgecombe2025-11adoptedEdgecombe County adopted a Unified Development Ordinance amendment concerning data centers on November 3, 2025.[76]
Forsyth CountyForsyth2026-09proposedForsyth County commissioners directed staff to prepare a possible six-month moratorium on data centers in September 2026.[77]
Gates CountyGates2025-12adoptedGates County adopted a temporary moratorium on development approvals for data centers and related high-impact facilities on December 17, 2025.[78][79]
Gates CountyGates2026-08proposedThe Gates County Planning Board proposed an ordinance amendment to prohibit data centers across county zoning districts. The county presentation lists community engagement and a recommendation in August 2026.[78]
Granville CountyGranville2026-07proposedGranville County proposed a Land Development Code amendment defining data centers and creating a conditional zoning district with development standards. Its Planning Board recommended approval on July 16, 2026.[80][81]
ButnerGranville2026-07adoptedButner adopted a six-month moratorium on data center development after a public hearing on July 2, 2026.[82][83]
CreedmoorGranville2026-08proposedCreedmoor scheduled a public hearing on proposed data center zoning standards for August 4, 2026. The agenda requests approval of definitions, use-table entries, and development standards.[84]
Halifax CountyHalifax2026-09debatedCounty commissioners voted on September 8 to schedule an October 19 hearing on a proposed data center moratorium.[85]
HendersonvilleHenderson2026-09adoptedCity Council adopted a one-year data center moratorium on September 3. The city paused building, zoning, and special use permits for data centers.[86]
Hertford CountyHertford2024-03adoptedThe county adopted its unified development ordinance on March 4, 2024. It lists "Data Center" as a special use in the Heavy Industrial district.[87][88]
Macon CountyMacon2026-08adoptedMacon County amended its high-impact land use ordinance to cover cryptocurrency mining, data centers, and server-based facilities.[89][90]
HighlandsMacon2026-08adoptedHighlands approved a temporary data center moratorium on August 20, 2026, and requested a review of data center regulations.[91]
Madison CountyMadison2024-05adoptedMadison County amended its Land Use Ordinance to regulate cryptocurrency and data processing facilities in commercial and industrial districts.[92]
McDowell CountyMcDowell2026-08adoptedMcDowell County adopted a six-month data center development moratorium on August 31, 2026.[93]
Nash CountyNash2026-06proposedAt a June 24, 2026 public meeting, Nash County discussed proposed development standards for data centers as part of its Unified Development Ordinance update.[94][95]
Spring HopeNash2026-05adoptedSpring Hope commissioners adopted a resolution on May 4, 2026 to pause data-center construction while the town gathers more information.[96]
NashvilleNash2026-08adoptedNashville adopted a one-year data-center moratorium on August 4, 2026 after a second public hearing.[97]
New Hanover CountyNew Hanover2026-09debatedIn September 2026, county commissioners asked planning staff to review data-center regulations and explore changes to the land code. The board took no action to pause development.[98][99]
Pasquotank CountyPasquotank2026-05adoptedPasquotank County adopted a moratorium on data-center, data-processing, and cryptocurrency-mining approvals on May 18, 2026. It ends by May 17, 2027 or earlier when zoning amendments take effect.[100]
Pasquotank CountyPasquotank2026-08proposedThe county published an August 5, 2026 draft Unified Development Ordinance that proposes prohibiting data centers. The county project site states that the proposed regulation could change during review.[101]
Perquimans CountyPerquimans2026-09proposedPerquimans County scheduled a September 8, 2026 public hearing on a data center moratorium.[102][103]
Randolph CountyRandolph2024-04adoptedRandolph County amended its Unified Development Ordinance on April 1, 2024 to add cryptocurrency to its use table and data processing facility standards.[104]
Richmond CountyRichmond2026-07adoptedRichmond County adopted a Unified Development Ordinance on July 14, 2026 that names Data Center as a use permitted by right in Heavy Industrial zoning.[105][106]
Rockingham CountyRockingham2026-09proposedRockingham County proposed ordinance amendment 2026-18 to establish specific development standards for data processing facilities. The proposal appeared on the September 14, 2026 Planning Board agenda.[107][108]
SalisburyRowan2026-06adoptedSalisbury City Council approved an amendment to Chapters 2, 3, 11, and 18 of its Land Development Ordinance concerning data storage facilities on June 2, 2026.[109]
BrevardTransylvania2026-03adoptedBrevard adopted a temporary moratorium on accepting, processing, and approving development applications for data centers, cryptomining, and similar facilities on March 16, 2026. The ordinance set an expiration of July 2, 2026 unless ended earlier by City Council.[110]
BrevardTransylvania2026-05adoptedBrevard adopted Ordinance 2026-19 on May 18, 2026, amending its Unified Development Ordinance to define data center land uses and establish related regulations.[111]
Union CountyUnion2026-08proposedThe August 17, 2026 Board of Commissioners agenda included a public hearing on proposed development ordinance amendments for data centers and cryptomining operations. The adoption outcome could not be confirmed in the county agenda system.[112][113]
Indian TrailUnion2026-09proposedThe September 15, 2026 Planning and Zoning Board packet proposed data center definitions and standards through text amendment ZT 2026-0095. The proposal requires conditional zoning and sets site, utility, and environmental standards.[114]
Vance CountyVance2026-09adoptedVance County adopted a 60-day data center moratorium on September 14, 2026.[115]
GarnerWake2026-05adoptedGarner adopted a temporary moratorium on data centers, data processing facilities, and cryptocurrency mining in May 2026. It lasts until May 18, 2027 or earlier UDO amendments.[116]
Warren CountyWarren2025-10proposedAn October 22, 2025 county memorandum proposed adding data centers to the UDO use table and establishing size-based approvals and supplemental standards.[117]
Warren CountyWarren2026-08proposedAugust 4 planning board minutes identify a proposed data center moratorium and a county commissioners public hearing scheduled for August 19, 2026.[118]
Mitchell CountyMitchell2026-06debatedCounty commissioners discussed data-center impacts and possible land-use regulation on June 1, 2026. The board agreed to further review before deciding whether to create a planning board or pursue an ordinance.[119]

Cite this dataset

FOUND, "Where North Carolina has paused data centers", lotsfound.com, 2026. Data from public sources listed below. Licensed CC BY 4.0.

Free to reuse with attribution to FOUND and a link to this page (CC BY 4.0).

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