Raleigh leaders are considering a temporary pause on new data center development as city officials study the potential impacts of the rapidly growing industry.
WTVD
ByBianca Holman
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 5:18PM
Mayor Janet Cowell has requested that the Raleigh City Council review a draft six-month moratorium on new data centers larger than 10,000 square feet.
The proposal is intended to give city leaders time to examine whether existing development regulations adequately address the unique demands of large-scale data facilities. A draft ordinance could be presented as early as next week, with a public hearing and possible council vote scheduled for Oct. 6.
Cowell emphasized that the proposal is not intended to halt Raleigh’s technology sector growth but rather to allow the city time to develop thoughtful policies.
“Why don’t we put a pause on this?” Cowell said. “Getting a pause gives us a chance to actually have a conversation, do the work and maybe lower the temperature.”
The proposed moratorium would not affect existing facilities. The Raleigh area is already home to 20 data centers, and city leaders say ongoing operations, research and technology development would continue uninterrupted. During the six-month review period, officials plan to gather information and evaluate potential regulations related to: Noise levels, vibrations, water consumption, cooling technologies, electrical grid demands, and other development standards.
Cowell said the city is seeking to balance economic growth with residents’ quality of life. “We are home to NC State University, which is a STEM university, and we’ve got a lot of federal offices here as well,” Cowell said.
“We definitely want to protect those that are already operating and not disrupt existing research and development or companies that have located here.”
She added that city leaders want to ensure Raleigh remains a technology and innovation hub while also addressing concerns raised by residents. Among the issues under consideration are noise and vibration standards for large commercial and industrial facilities.
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Cowell noted that Raleigh has spent years addressing noise concerns in entertainment districts and may need similar guidelines for future data center developments. “The types of things we’ll be looking at will be noise,” Cowell said. “How do we have a decibel level at the property line that we can ensure neighbors that there is going to be some sort of control and measurement? Similarly with vibrations, those kinds of issues.”
Supporters of the temporary pause say it would allow city leaders to gather data, hear public input and determine whether additional regulations are needed before approving future projects.
The Raleigh City Council is expected to discuss the proposal further ahead of its Oct. 6 meeting, when council members could consider adopting the moratorium. The public meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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