London KY two-year data center moratorium (2026-16)
London, KY — Ordinance 2026-16: Two-Year Moratorium on New Data Centers Through September 30, 2028 (August 3, 2026)
London, KY · City of London, Ky. — Ordinance 2026-16 (Aug. 3, 2026)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- September 30, 2028
- Applies to
- Anyone seeking to develop a data center within London city limits; City of London permitting officials and the London Planning Commission.
- Enforced by
- City of London / London Planning Commission
The London City Council passed a two-year moratorium on new data centers inside city limits, approving the second reading of Ordinance 2026-16 on August 3, 2026 by a 5-1 vote. Councilman Bruner cast the lone no vote. The ordinance bars new data centers through September 30, 2028, and lets the London Planning Commission extend the pause by up to one additional year if it needs more time. City leaders said the point is to give officials room to study what data centers have actually done to communities across Kentucky and the country, including effects on infrastructure and local resources. At two years, this is one of the longest municipal data center moratoriums in Kentucky — most of the state's 2026 wave ran six months to a year. London is the seat of Laurel County in southeastern Kentucky.
Who is protected: London and Laurel County residents, through a two-year prohibition on new data centers while the city studies infrastructure and resource impacts.
Legal detail
City of London, Ky. Ordinance 2026-16, adopted on second reading August 3, 2026 by a 5-1 council vote (Councilman Bruner dissenting). Prohibits new data centers within London city limits through September 30, 2028 — a term of roughly 26 months. Extension mechanism: the London Planning Commission may extend the moratorium by up to one additional year, which would carry it to approximately September 30, 2029. Stated purpose is study of infrastructure and resource impacts observed in other Kentucky and national jurisdictions. Term length distinguishes this from the rest of the 2026 Kentucky municipal wave (Winchester and Mercer County one year, Ludlow one year, Yankton-style six-month pauses elsewhere); only Woodford County's permanent ban goes further.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | London, KY |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Stronger |
| Enacted | August 3, 2026 |
| Citation | City of London, Ky. — Ordinance 2026-16 (Aug. 3, 2026) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | New data centers are not permitted within city limits during the moratorium |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy · government use of AI |
| News report | London City Council passes 2-year data center moratorium — WKYT |
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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