Charlotte Weighs Data Center Moratorium Extension

Charlotte officials are weighing an extension of the city's data center moratorium. The proposal is tied to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center at 600 E. 4th St. in Uptown and is currently in proposed status.

The moratorium pauses new data center development citywide. An extension would buy time for staff and council to draft permanent regulations. Data centers have drawn scrutiny locally and regionally for their land requirements, energy and water consumption, and limited permanent job creation relative to footprint.

Moratoriums of this type give a city time to study a use and update zoning before new applications advance. Charlotte's process typically runs through staff analysis, public hearings, and amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance, which took effect in 2023 and would be the likely vehicle for permanent data center rules.

The Government Center houses City Council chambers and Mecklenburg County offices in Uptown's First Ward. Council committee meetings and full council sessions on land use matters are held there.