Frequently Asked Questions: Data Centers & Moratorium

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.

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.

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.

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.

During the Aug. 3 Transportation, Planning and Development Committee meeting, staff presented several opportunities for the public to stay engaged in this conversation and offer feedback as council considers changes to policy.

Read about your Data Center Engagement Opportunities.

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.

During the moratorium, developers may not apply to build new data centers. Neighbors may notice continued construction on previously approved projects.

Yes. Existing data centers may continue operations during the moratorium.

Yes. Projects that are exempt from the moratorium under state law may continue with development activities.

Phase 1

First 75 days — June 8 to Aug. 22

During the first 75 days, the City of Charlotte will study the impacts of these facilities, investigate how other communities in North Carolina and across the United States have addressed these impacts through regulations, and create an interdisciplinary workgroup to convene on policy and impact analyses during this time.

Phase 2

Last 75 days — Aug. 23 to Nov. 5

During the final 75 days, any necessary City Code amendments or policy updates will be proposed, which will follow the appropriate legislative process for adoption. This legislative process, if warranted, will follow the City Council adoption process that includes a public hearing and a Council vote.

A task force is convening to prepare policy recommendations through a series of seven meetings. The group will work to offer policy adjustments that align with residents’ daily lives and reduce the impact of data centers on the community. Learn more about task force members and where to watch the meetings.