HomeLegal DirectoryIndianapolis data center moratorium (Council 23-1 Aug 10; MDC approval pending)

Proposed / pending Proposed or pending

Indianapolis, IN — City-County Council Votes 23-1 to Establish Data Center Moratorium Through Dec. 31, 2027 (MDC Final Approval Pending Aug. 19)

Indianapolis, IN · Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council, Zoning Ordinance Amendment (committee-approved 10-3, August 3, 2026; full council 23-1 vote August 10, 2026; MDC final approval pending ~August 19, 2026)

The Metropolitan Economic Development Committee of the Indianapolis City-County Council voted 10-3 on August 3, 2026 to recommend approval of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment imposing a moratorium on data centers through at least December 31, 2027. The committee vote fell along party lines: all 10 yes votes were Democrats and all 3 no votes were Republicans. The full 29-member City-County Council is scheduled to vote on August 10, 2026. Council President Maggie Lewis announced support for the moratorium after months of community pressure from residents and environmental groups, and Mayor Joe Hogsett also supports the measure. The moratorium would pause acceptance and processing of land-use applications, site plans, and building permits for data centers within Indianapolis-Marion County.

Technical detail

Zoning Ordinance Amendment imposing a moratorium on acceptance, processing, and approval of data center land-use applications, site plans, and building permits within Indianapolis-Marion County, IN through at least December 31, 2027; committee-recommended 10-3 by the Metropolitan Economic Development Committee on August 3, 2026. Full City-County Council vote scheduled August 10, 2026, 7:30 PM at the City-County Building. Council President Maggie Lewis (D-5) support announcement followed months of community pressure. Mayor Hogsett (D) publicly supports. Note: This moratorium proposal is a separate action from the previously-tracked SU-47 Special Use District ordinance (indianapolis-su47-dc-district-proposed), which would create permanent data center zoning regulations; both are moving on parallel tracks.

Who is protected: Indianapolis-Marion County, IN residents from new data center development through December 31, 2027 (if enacted)

Who must comply: Data center developers seeking approvals in Indianapolis-Marion County, IN

Key facts

JurisdictionIndianapolis, IN
LevelCity / local
StatusProposed / pending
Protection strengthProposed or pending
CitationIndianapolis-Marion County City-County Council, Zoning Ordinance Amendment (committee-approved 10-3, August 3, 2026; full council 23-1 vote August 10, 2026; MDC final approval pending ~August 19, 2026)
Enforced byIndianapolis-Marion County Metropolitan Development Department; City-County Council (if enacted)
Private right of actionNo — agency enforcement only
Topicsdata-center siting and energy
Last verified2026-08-11
Official sourceIndianapolis City-County Council committee recommends moratorium on data centers — WISHTV ↗

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