AI Governance
Data Centers
Drones
Climate
Privacy
2026 Maine Senate
Bob Dylan
Last Update: 10/27/2026 at 5:34 AM EST
North Carolina Data Center Siting
Coverage from Salisbury Post, Raleigh News & Observer, and others
Across North Carolina, municipalities and counties have used temporary moratoria and zoning changes to review how data centers fit into local land-use and infrastructure plans.
Hearings and neighborhood organizing have shaped debates in places including Charlotte, Rowan County, and Salisbury, where concerns include electricity and water demand, noise, environmental effects, and the limits of existing rules. Local officials are also weighing what can be changed when projects are already approved or state law constrains local authority. Together, these decisions raise questions about how communities evaluate proposals and set conditions for development.
Looking Back
155 Day Timeline
May 11
Jun 7
Jul 1
Jul 28
Aug 21
Sep 17
Oct 11
All Articles75 articles
Important
Rowan County, North Carolina adopted a one-year data-center moratorium on July 20 after residents raised water, noise, and power-demand concerns about a proposed Flexential campus.
7/26/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Charlotte City Council approved a 150-day moratorium on new data centers on June 8 while local zoning, water and power-load rules are developed.
6/29/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Charlotte City Council will hold an Oct. 12 public hearing in Charlotte on extending the city's data center moratorium, which is due to expire Nov. 5.
10/12/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Durham County commissioners voted on August 24 in Durham, North Carolina, to impose a nine-month data center moratorium with limited exemptions for smaller facilities.
8/31/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Cary Town Council approved an immediate 18-month moratorium on data center approvals in Cary, North Carolina, through February 2028, while officials study regulation and infrastructure capacity.
8/28/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Charlotte City Council is considering data center policies before a November 5 moratorium expires, following a town hall on siting, water use, and infrastructure.
8/21/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Davie County commissioners approved a data center moratorium through July 5, 2027, as county and Mocksville officials assess zoning, infrastructure, and community impacts in North Carolina.
7/30/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Statesville City Council holds Aug 10, 2026 hearing in North Carolina to consider a 150-day moratorium on new data center applications while updating Unified Development Code zoning rules.
7/24/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Southport, North Carolina planning board recommended a 15-month moratorium and conditional zoning rules for data centers as zoning text and environmental requirements are drafted.
7/17/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Energy Storage Solutions withdrew a Kingsboro AI data center proposal in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, as officials considered a 24-month moratorium and set an August public hearing.
7/15/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Davie County commissioners approved a one-year moratorium on data center construction in North Carolina after residents raised land, water, and electricity cost concerns.
7/9/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Charlotte approved a 150-day moratorium on new data center development to update ordinances for electricity and water needs as AI-driven projects expand across North Carolina.
6/11/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Charlotte City Council approved a five-month data center moratorium on Monday, after resident concerns about clean air and clean water and state-law limits on pending approvals.
6/9/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Charlotte City Council may start a temporary pause on new data centers as residents raise noise, water, and electricity demand concerns, with Duke Energy tracking 7.6 gigawatts in its pipeline.
5/11/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Cary Town Council approved an 18-month moratorium on new large-scale data centers in Cary, North Carolina, to study infrastructure, water, land-use, and environmental requirements.
8/28/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Charlotte City Council considers a 150-day moratorium on new data center applications, with a May 26 hearing and June 8 vote, while studying health and water-power impacts.
5/11/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Greensboro, Yadkin County, and Alamance County officials are considering data center moratoriums Monday in North Carolina, while a Raleigh developer withdrew a proposal Saturday.
8/17/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Charlotte City Council approved a 150-day moratorium on new data centers to reassess infrastructure capacity, noise impacts, and environmental concerns in North Carolina.
6/18/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Charlotte City Council held a public hearing on a proposed 150-day moratorium after protesters opposed American Towers’ Hood Road data center expansion amid water and electricity concerns.
5/27/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Columbus County commissioners will consider a temporary data center development moratorium at an October 5 public hearing in Columbus County, North Carolina.
9/23/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Statesville City Council unanimously approved a 180-day moratorium on new data center applications in Statesville, North Carolina, on September 14.
9/15/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Alamance County commissioners will hold an Aug. 17 hearing on a proposed moratorium for new data centers at the Alamance County Historic Court House in North Carolina.
8/9/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
A North Carolina town launched a data center information portal during a 12-month pause to study infrastructure, environmental, and community impacts before revising local zoning rules.
8/6/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Greensboro City Council and Randolph County commissioners advanced data center restrictions Monday night in Greensboro and Randolph County, North Carolina, including a proposed moratorium, public hearing, closed-loop cooling requirements, and noise studies.
8/4/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Waxhaw officials will hold an Aug. 11, 2026, public hearing in Waxhaw, South Carolina, on a proposed 12-month moratorium for new data center applications.
8/1/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Statesville City Council will hear public input on August 10, 2026, in Statesville, North Carolina, before considering a 150-day pause on new data center applications.
7/28/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
North Carolina voters and congressional candidates debate temporary data center moratoriums as Donald Trump-backed electric-cost pledges and local concerns shape midterm politics.
7/23/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Mount Airy approved a 60-day and Davidson County a six-month data center moratorium in North Carolina, with additional public hearings planned to review local impacts.
7/17/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Digital Realty filed a June 22 land disturbance permit for a Court Arcade redevelopment in uptown Charlotte while requesting full demolition of the historic facade.
6/25/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Cary, North Carolina, approved an 18-month data center moratorium as towns across the state assess rising power demand, water use, and local impacts.
9/7/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Cumberland County imposed a June 15 moratorium on new data centers as Fayetteville scheduled an Aug. 10 public hearing on Unified Development Ordinance revisions in 2026.
7/5/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Interesting
Raleigh City Council began drafting a six-month data center moratorium on September 15, while Cary is conducting an 18-month infrastructure and regulatory study in Wake County, North Carolina.
9/16/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Raleigh City Council is considering a six-month moratorium on data center proposals for an Oct. 6 vote after residents opposed a planned RadiusDC facility in Raleigh, North Carolina.
9/15/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Durham County commissioners approved a nine-month moratorium on large data centers on August 24, 2026, while county and city staff prepare new regulations.
8/28/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Raleigh City Council leaders in Raleigh, North Carolina, agreed to draft a six-month pause on new data center development for consideration at an upcoming public meeting.
9/16/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Durham County commissioners approved a nine-month moratorium on new hyperscale data centers Monday in Durham, North Carolina, after residents raised concerns about power, water, noise, and land use.
8/25/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
AIA Charlotte and Digital Realty Trust dispute demolition permitting for the Court Arcade data center redevelopment at 725 Trade St, while the July 7 permit remains unapproved.
7/13/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Charlotte staff paused a data center focus group after criticism that recruitment and meetings lacked transparency, following a June 150-day moratorium on new data center developments.
7/10/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Henderson County officials in North Carolina denied data-center permit activity for the vacant Coats America mill after residents raised rumors and sought moratorium-based options under state downzoning limits.
6/6/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Durham County residents urged commissioners Tuesday to broaden the county's data center construction pause to smaller facilities in Durham, North Carolina.
9/9/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Davidson County commissioners in North Carolina rejected a proposed six-month moratorium on new data center applications Monday after residents and officials debated planning needs and potential county benefits.
8/25/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Waxhaw officials unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on data-center-related applications Tuesday, Aug. 11, in Waxhaw, North Carolina, while zoning rules undergo review.
8/13/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Waxhaw officials will hold an Aug. 11 public meeting in Waxhaw, North Carolina, on a proposed one-year moratorium covering data centers and related digital infrastructure.
8/2/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Greensboro council members examined data center ordinances after a 5-4 vote against a moratorium during a work session on electricity demand, infrastructure needs, and water use.
7/22/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Charlotte City Council approved a 150-day data center moratorium in June as interim Mayor Robert Harrington oversees staff work on energy and water usage regulations.
7/10/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Asheville City Council approved a one-year moratorium on data center development on June 23 to study water, energy, and noise impacts within city limits.
6/24/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Asheville, North Carolina, advanced a temporary data center development moratorium after committee review, with a June 23 5 p.m. council public hearing.
6/19/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Asheville City Council will hold a June 23 public hearing on a proposed up-to-one-year moratorium on data centers to develop local zoning and impact standards.
6/17/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Asheville, North Carolina, advanced a proposed one-year moratorium on data center development after PEDE Committee approval and staff concerns about utilities, noise, heat, and zoning.
6/16/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Charlotte City Council approved a 150-day moratorium on data centers after residents contested siting near Reedy Creek Nature Preserve and raised electricity and water concerns.
6/8/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Cary, North Carolina officials considered a temporary data center moratorium on water-resource concerns tied to Jordan Lake at a Thursday-night council meeting.
5/29/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Charlotte City Council held a public hearing on a proposed 150-day moratorium for new data center facilities, with a June 8 vote scheduled.
5/27/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Charlotte City Council plans a May 26 public hearing and June 8 vote on a 150-day moratorium to pause new data center approvals.
5/14/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Black Mountain Town Council in Black Mountain, North Carolina adopted May 11, 2026 zoning amendments for data processing centers and requested drafting future moratorium language.
5/11/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Raleigh city leaders addressed data center opposition Tuesday as residents challenged a withdrawn Southeast Raleigh proposal and neighboring North Carolina cities adopted or considered moratoriums.
8/19/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Durham County commissioners will vote after a public hearing on amending North Carolina Unified Development Ordinance rules to extend a data center moratorium to 12 months.
6/22/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Holly Springs approved a one-year data center moratorium on Tuesday, joining Wake, Chatham, Orange, and Durham pauses amid health, noise, and water concerns.
6/17/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Charlotte City Council approved a 150-day data center construction moratorium on power, water, environmental, and land-use study grounds in Charlotte, North Carolina.
6/9/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Cary Town Council debated a moratorium on new data center development during a meeting at Cary Town Hall on water and energy impact research tied to Jordan Lake.
5/29/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Durham County commissioners considered Monday a moratorium on data centers larger than 100,000 square feet in Durham County, North Carolina, amid resident concerns and Research Triangle Park opposition to broader restrictions.
8/25/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Durham County commissioners approved a nine-month moratorium on new or expanded data centers Monday night in Durham, North Carolina, after a public hearing.
8/25/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Dimple Ajmera will convene a public data center forum Aug. 20 at Project 658 in Charlotte amid concerns about utility burdens and neighborhood equity.
8/18/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Charlotte city council held a public hearing on a 150-day moratorium for data-center development on June 8.
5/27/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Farmville commissioners in North Carolina unanimously approved a 12-month data-center moratorium Monday after residents raised environmental and energy-cost concerns about East Energy Renewables' proposed project.
8/4/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
EMC opened the Durham Center of Excellence in Durham, North Carolina, adding a Tier III cloud data center and research laboratories to the Raleigh-Durham market.
8/10/2026 • Technology & Operations • General
PSL activists in Charlotte on July 1 urged North Carolina to ban new data centers and protect electricity customers after a 150-day local approvals moratorium.
7/14/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Boiling Spring Lakes commissioners set a June 2 City Hall hearing to gather input on a proposed 12-month moratorium on new data centers and crypto mining operations.
5/14/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Beacon Partners withdrew its annexation request on Friday for a proposed $180 million data center at Jones Sausage Road in southeast Raleigh after widespread resident opposition.
8/17/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Western North Carolina municipalities and counties recently adopted moratoriums or zoning regulations affecting new data centers, including Asheville's one-year pause and Brevard's permanent rules.
9/15/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Charlotte officials, led by Mayor Rob Harrington, are studying data center regulations during a construction moratorium that ends November 5.
6/25/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell asked the Raleigh City Council to consider a six-month moratorium on large new data centers during an October review in Raleigh, North Carolina.
9/16/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Additional
Charlotte city officials will hold six September community sessions at Hornets Nest Park and other locations to gather public input on data center policies.
9/2/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
The prospective purchaser withdrew a data center annexation request in southeast Raleigh, North Carolina, ending a proposed 100,000-square-foot development after resident opposition and council skepticism.
8/16/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Currituck County commissioners received a July 20, 2026, Timmons Group briefing in Currituck County, North Carolina, to evaluate future data center impacts and infrastructure needs.
7/30/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Kings Mountain, North Carolina residents Roxanne and Tony Wright oppose a Honey Badger Development AI data center after a 2023 land sale and amid a 2024 city moratorium and utilities lawsuit.
6/7/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General