Dougherty County GA data center moratorium (extended ~Feb 2027)
Dougherty County, GA — Board of Commissioners Data Center Moratorium (Extended 180 Days, Aug 31, 2026)
Dougherty County, GA · Dougherty County, GA Board of Commissioners data center moratorium extension (adopted unanimously, August 31, 2026; expires ~February 28, 2027)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- February 28, 2027
- Applies to
- Data center developers seeking zoning approvals in unincorporated Dougherty County, GA
- Enforced by
- Dougherty County Board of Commissioners; Dougherty County Planning Commission
The Dougherty County, Georgia Board of Commissioners initially approved a 45-day data center moratorium on July 20, 2026, halting acceptance and approval of zoning applications in unincorporated Dougherty County. On August 31, 2026, commissioners voted unanimously to extend the moratorium 180 additional days through approximately February 28, 2027 — the second extension following the 45-day original. County officials confirmed there is no limit to further extensions. Albany City (county seat) adopted a separate 12-month moratorium July 28, 2026. Both actions are driven by concern over data center impacts on the Floridian Aquifer.
Who is protected: Dougherty County, GA unincorporated area residents
Legal detail
Dougherty County (GA) Board of Commissioners data center moratorium: original 45-day adoption July 20, 2026 (expires ~September 4, 2026); extended 180 days on August 31, 2026, running through approximately February 28, 2027. Unanimous vote on extension. County officials confirmed no limit to further extensions. Albany city (county seat) adopted separate 12-month moratorium July 28, 2026 (see Albany GA 12-month data center moratorium). Water resource concerns (Floridian Aquifer) cited. Planning commission directed to draft permanent land-use regulations; permanent ordinance not yet adopted as of September 3, 2026.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Dougherty County, GA |
|---|---|
| Level | County |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | July 20, 2026 |
| Citation | Dougherty County, GA Board of Commissioners data center moratorium extension (adopted unanimously, August 31, 2026; expires ~February 28, 2027) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| News report | Moratorium for Dougherty County data centers extended for another 180 days — WALB News (Aug 31, 2026) |
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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