A data-center moratorium is a temporary pause on specific approvals or permits for some proposed facilities—not a universal shutdown. Its effect depends on the jurisdiction, the approvals covered, the facility definition, exemptions, and how the pause ends. Existing operations or previously approved construction may be allowed to continue even while new applications are stopped.
What a data-center moratorium does
A government may pause accepting or processing applications, issuing permits, granting zoning approvals, or approving site plans while it studies impacts or prepares new rules. Those are distinct actions: a moratorium on one type of approval does not automatically suspend every state and local review or prohibit all construction.
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For example, New York State announced a pause on certain state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) discretionary permits that had not already been deemed complete while the state develops a generic environmental impact statement. The announcement says the review is expected to take up to a year and that projects may proceed afterward if they meet finalized standards and obtain required state and local approvals. It does not describe a blanket suspension of every local approval. New York Governor’s Office announcement
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Oklahoma City’s April 21, 2026 action, by contrast, halted acceptance and processing of applications, rezoning requests, and permits related to data-center construction or expansion. The city specifically exempted two pending rezoning cases. Oklahoma City announcement
What happens to proposed and existing projects?
The result for a project depends on its stage and on the wording of the local measure. A pause may distinguish new applications from pending applications, already approved construction, ongoing operations, and expansions. Do not assume an exception in one city applies in another.
- New applications: A covered application may not be accepted, processed, or approved during the pause.
- Pending applications: Some measures cover applications still under review; others preserve cases that have already reached a defined status. New York’s announcement, for instance, focuses on DEC discretionary permits not already deemed complete.
- Approved construction: Charlotte says projects approved before June 8, 2026 may continue construction.
- Existing operations: Charlotte says existing data centers may continue operating. That does not itself settle whether a proposed expansion or change of use is allowed.
- Specific exemptions: Oklahoma City exempted two pending rezoning cases from its action.
Charlotte’s city FAQ describes a 150-day pause on new data-center applications and new development approvals. It said the pause was scheduled through November 5, 2026, and noted an October 12 hearing on a possible extension. Those dates describe the city’s stated schedule; check the city’s current notices for any later action. Charlotte’s Data Centers & Moratorium FAQ
Why governments use a pause
A moratorium can create time to consider how proposed facilities fit land-use plans and what they may mean for infrastructure and the environment. Government materials identify issues including energy demand, water, air quality, noise, and land use. A pause is a process measure, not a final determination of what standards will be adopted or whether a particular project will ultimately be approved.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →In explaining Oklahoma City’s action, City Manager Craig Freeman said the pause would give the city more time to understand effects on “energy use, water demand and land use.” Oklahoma City announcement
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Pennsylvania’s executive order recites a PJM Interconnection forecast of 74 GW of summer peak electric-load growth through 2045, characterizing data-center development as the primary driver. The order also attributes $29.4 billion in capacity charges—46% of total auction costs across PJM’s last four base residual capacity auctions—to the PJM Independent Market Monitor. These are figures as attributed in the order, not independent confirmation of the underlying forecast or monitor report. Pennsylvania Bulletin, Doc. No. 26-1274
How definitions determine which facilities are covered
The label “data center” may not be enough to tell whether a project falls under a moratorium. The measure may define the covered use by its principal purpose, size, server count, or location. A facility below a stated threshold, a center serving another primary use, or a project outside the authority’s jurisdiction may be treated differently.
- Madison, Wisconsin: The city’s 12-month pause covers zoning approvals for new principal-use data centers or telecommunications centers larger than 10,000 square feet. A center serving another principal use on the lot, such as a research lab or office, is excluded. The city says related building permits and certificates of occupancy therefore cannot be issued during the pause. Madison’s temporary moratorium page
- Dane County, Wisconsin: The county defined covered hyperscale facilities as having at least 5,000 servers and occupying at least 10,000 square feet. Its 18-month pause concerns zoning permit applications and grants in unincorporated areas subject to county zoning. Smaller facilities and places with their own zoning codes—cities, villages, and towns—are outside the stated county scope. The county’s June 4, 2026 release said the resolution had gone to the County Executive for consideration and signature; consult the final resolution and current county status before relying on it. Dane County release
How long a moratorium lasts—and what ends it
Duration and end conditions are set locally. A stated calendar deadline may be shortened if new rules pass, or the measure may be extended or replaced. The examples below reflect the cited government materials; temporary actions can change, so verify current status with the relevant authority.
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|---|---|---|
| New York State | Certain DEC discretionary permits during development of a generic environmental impact statement, expected to take up to a year. | Permits already deemed complete are outside the announcement’s stated pause. Projects may proceed after standards are finalized if they secure state and local approvals. Governor’s Office |
| Oklahoma City | Announced to end December 31, 2026, or earlier if specified zoning amendments pass. | Two pending rezoning cases are exempted. City announcement |
| Charlotte | 150-day city pause, scheduled through November 5, 2026; the city noted an October 12 hearing on a possible extension. | Previously approved projects may continue construction, and existing centers may continue operating. City FAQ |
| Calvert County, Maryland | Six-month pause on acceptance and approval of data-center site plans, effective August 28, 2026. | County materials describe review of land-use, infrastructure, and environmental impacts. Separate zoning rules limit data centers to industrial zones and address setbacks, design, and noise. County data-centers page |
| Madison, Wisconsin | 12-month pause on specified zoning approvals. | Applies to new principal-use data centers or telecommunications centers over 10,000 square feet; a center serving another primary use is excluded. City page |
| Dane County, Wisconsin | 18-month pause on specified zoning permits. | Limited to defined hyperscale facilities in unincorporated areas subject to county zoning; the June 4 release said the resolution went to the County Executive for consideration and signature. County release |
What to check in the actual local measure
Before deciding whether a project can proceed, identify the government action that applies to the site and read the ordinance, resolution, or executive action itself. Check:
Quick Recap
- Authority and boundary: Which government adopted the pause, and does it cover the parcel? County zoning may not apply inside a municipality with its own code.
- Covered approvals: Does it stop permit issuance, application intake, rezoning, site-plan review, building permits, or another step?
- Facility definition: Does it turn on principal use, floor area, server count, or another threshold?
- Project status: How does it treat new, pending, complete, or approved applications, existing operations, and expansions?
- Exceptions: Are named cases, other uses, or particular project categories excluded?
- End point: Is there a fixed expiration date, an earlier trigger tied to new rules, or a possible extension?
- Planned review: What land-use, infrastructure, energy, water, or environmental questions is the government examining?
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