A growing number of municipalities and counties across the United States have enacted temporary moratoriums or permanent bans on data center development in 2026. At least 30 communities have taken formal action to pause, restrict, or prohibit data center projects, reflecting a significant shift in how local governments are responding to the rapid pace of digital infrastructure development.
The moratorium wave spans red and blue states, urban and rural communities, and coastal and inland regions. While the specific concerns vary by location, common themes include energy costs, water use, environmental impacts, lack of zoning preparedness, and community demands for greater input in development decisions.
Permanent Bans
Several communities have gone beyond temporary moratoriums to enact permanent bans on data center development. Warrenton, Virginia enacted a permanent ban in July 2025 following voter-driven opposition. Smithfield, Rhode Island approved an ordinance listing data centers as "not permitted" in all zoning districts in May 2026. Monroe Township, New Jersey adopted ordinances prohibiting data centers in April 2026.
In June 2026, San Marcos, Texas became the first Texas city to ban data centers citywide through a zoning code amendment. Medford Township, New Jersey enacted a proactive permanent ban in June 2026. And in California, voters in Monterey Park approved a ballot measure prohibiting data centers within city limits with 86% support — what appears to be the first voter-enacted municipal data center ban in the United States.
Temporary Moratoriums
Most community actions have been temporary moratoriums, typically lasting six to eighteen months, intended to provide time for planning rather than permanently prohibit development. Notable temporary moratoriums in 2026 include: DeKalb County, Georgia (extended through early 2027); Montgomery County, Maryland (18 months); Dane County, Wisconsin (18 months); Dodge County, Wisconsin (18 months); East Fishkill, New York (3 years); Dubuque County, Iowa (12 months); and many others.
In most cases, moratoriums are accompanied by efforts to develop permanent zoning regulations or data center ordinances. Some communities, like Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, have successfully lifted moratoriums after replacing them with permanent regulations requiring closed-loop cooling and on-site clean energy for larger facilities.
Why Communities Are Pausing
Common reasons cited for moratoriums include: outdated zoning ordinances that do not address the scale of modern data center campuses; concerns about cumulative impacts on power, water, and road infrastructure; the need to study economic impacts and benefit structures; and community requests for greater input in development decisions.
In several cases, moratoriums have been enacted in direct response to specific proposed projects, suggesting that communities feel unprepared when large-scale data center proposals arrive. This pattern underscores the importance of proactive planning and early community engagement by developers.
What This Means for the Industry
For developers, the spread of moratoriums underscores the importance of early community engagement. Projects that are well-communicated and demonstrate meaningful community benefits are more likely to proceed smoothly, even in communities where moratoriums or heightened scrutiny exist.
ADIC supports proactive planning over reactive moratoriums. The most effective approach is for communities to develop clear, forward-looking zoning and infrastructure plans for digital infrastructure before specific projects are proposed. When communities have clear standards in place, developers know what is expected, and residents have confidence that their concerns are being addressed.
