Frequently Asked Questions: Data Centers & Moratorium
Published on June 08, 2026
On Monday, June 8, Charlotte City Council voted to establish a moratorium on data centers. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding data centers, and moratoriums in North Carolina and what this vote means for Charlotte.
What is a data center?
A data center is a facility that houses computers, servers, and equipment used to process, store, and manage digital data. Data centers vary in size and ownership, ranging from an IT closet in an office building to a stand-alone hyperscale facility.
How does Charlotte define data centers?
Charlotte’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) refers to data centers as telecommunications and data storage facilities and defines them as a facility, accessed only by employees, that houses computer systems and associated components, related to the transmittal and receiving of information, including but not limited to telecommunications systems, telecommunication and telephone switching systems, cloud storage systems, and server farms.
What is a moratorium?
A moratorium is a temporary pause imposed by local government on issuing new development approvals, like zoning permits or building permits for a set period. A moratorium does not halt approved development projects or adopted rezonings.
What does a data center moratorium mean for Charlotte?
The Charlotte moratorium is intended to allow time to assess infrastructure capacity, noise impacts, and other environmental concerns about data centers before additional development proceeds.
Charlotte is temporarily not accepting applications for new data centers. However, data center projects that submitted full and complete applications or were already approved prior to the start of the moratorium (June 8, 2026) can continue being built and can operate as planned.
How long will the moratorium last?
Charlotte’s City Council voted to approve a 150-day moratorium on data centers during the June 8, 2026, meeting. It will last until Nov, 5, 2026.
Who is impacted?
During the moratorium, developers may not apply to build new data centers. Neighbors may notice continued construction on previously approved projects.
Can existing data centers continue to operate?
Yes. Existing data centers may continue operations during the moratorium.
Can approved projects proceed with construction?
Yes. Projects that are exempt from the moratorium under state law may continue with development activities
What is happening during the moratorium period?
The city established an interdisciplinary group, made up of staff from various city and Mecklenburg County departments to research and recommend policy and solutions. The group will engage with external stakeholders and offer opportunities for community engagement.
What can you do?
There will be future engagement opportunities announced.