Augusta GA permanent data center ordinance (Sept 2026)
Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia — Permanent Data Center Ordinance (Adopted September 15, 2026, 6-5 Vote)
Augusta, GA · Augusta-Richmond County Commission 6-5 vote, September 15, 2026 — permanent data center ordinance
- Status
- Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Applies to
- Data-center developers and operators seeking new permits or approvals in Augusta-Richmond County, GA
- Enforced by
- Augusta-Richmond County Commission
After a June–September 2026 moratorium process that included three extensions and multiple community meetings, the Augusta-Richmond County Commission voted 6-5 on September 15, 2026 to adopt a permanent data center ordinance. The ordinance restricts data centers to heavy industrial zoning, requires special exception permits with public hearings before the commission, and mandates 500-foot buffers from residential and agricultural land. The QTS Gordon Highway campus was exempted throughout the moratorium process. The narrow 6-5 vote reflects significant community opposition to what critics viewed as an ordinance that was too permissive.
Who is protected: Augusta-Richmond County residents near proposed data center sites
Legal detail
Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government permanent data center ordinance adopted 2026-09-15 (6-5 vote). Substantive provisions: (1) heavy industrial zoning requirement; (2) special exception permit required with public hearing before commission; (3) 500-ft buffer from residential and agricultural land. QTS Gordon Highway campus exempt. Preceded by June 2, 2026 moratorium (49 days), July 21 extension (+60 days), August 18 extension (+60 days through ~Nov 17). Permanent ordinance adopted before moratorium's stated expiration.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Augusta, GA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Stronger |
| Enacted | October 6, 2026 |
| Citation | Augusta-Richmond County Commission 6-5 vote, September 15, 2026 — permanent data center ordinance |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| News report | Augusta Commission approves data center ordinance in 6-5 vote (Augusta Press) |
More AI rules in Augusta, GA
Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere
- Superior WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Dane County WI Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- Madison WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Manitowoc County WI Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Dayton OH data center moratorium (180-day, Apr 2026) · In effect
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