CARROLLTON, Ga. — The Carroll County Board of Commissioners approved a 100-day moratorium on new data centers and battery energy storage systems during a meeting on March 4, 2026, temporarily halting new permits and applications while officials study the potential impact of the rapidly growing industry on the community.
The resolution pauses the acceptance of development applications and the issuance of land-disturbance and other permits for projects involving data centers, battery energy storage systems and similar technology-related facilities. County leaders said the pause will allow staff and legal counsel time to review zoning regulations and determine whether new policies are needed to address the emerging industry.
Commissioners said the action was taken to protect the health, safety and welfare of Carroll County residents while officials evaluate how such facilities could affect local infrastructure, land use and the environment. Data centers — large facilities that house computer servers used to store and process digital information — have expanded rapidly across Georgia and other parts of the United States in recent years.
County officials noted that the current Carroll County zoning ordinance, originally adopted in the 1990s, does not specifically address data centers or related facilities. The moratorium gives county planners time to draft potential updates that would determine where such projects could be built and what conditions they would need to meet.
During the review period, the county’s Community Development Department will study possible regulations governing issues such as appropriate zoning districts, utility demands and potential environmental or safety concerns. Large technology facilities can require significant electricity and water usage and may raise issues such as noise, light pollution, land use conflicts and fire safety, officials said.
The temporary pause also comes as several other Georgia counties and cities consider similar measures while reviewing local ordinances related to data center development. Officials across the state say the fast growth of the industry has prompted communities to reconsider how such projects fit into local land-use plans.
The moratorium does not permanently ban the facilities but is intended to give county leaders time to develop clearer rules before new proposals move forward. After the review period, commissioners could adopt updated zoning regulations, impose conditions on development or determine where such projects may be allowed in the future.
For residents and businesses in Carroll County, the decision could shape how large technology infrastructure projects are developed in the area. Supporters of the pause say it ensures the county can balance potential economic development opportunities with concerns about infrastructure demands, environmental impacts and compatibility with surrounding communities.
County officials are expected to review proposed zoning updates during the moratorium period before deciding whether to adopt new regulations once the 100-day pause expires.
