Westbrook ME 180-day data center moratorium (2026)
Westbrook, ME — City Council Unanimously Adopts a 180-Day Data Center Moratorium; Staff Now Recommend Prohibiting Standalone Data Centers (June–September 2026)
Westbrook, ME · City of Westbrook, Me., 180-day data center moratorium (June 1, 2026)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- June 1, 2026
- Applies to
- Data center developers in Westbrook
- Enforced by
- City of Westbrook Planning and Code Enforcement
On June 1, 2026 the Westbrook City Council unanimously approved a 180-day moratorium on data center development, effective immediately, even though no applications had been filed. Data centers are currently allowed only in the Rock Row Contract Zone. During the pause the planning board reviewed the land use ordinance, and by September city staff recommended banning standalone data centers and removing them from the Rock Row zone, while still allowing on-site IT rooms that serve hospitals and other organizations. The City Council has not yet voted on that permanent change.
Who is protected: Westbrook residents
Legal detail
City of Westbrook (Cumberland County), Me. Moratorium: 180 days, approved unanimously 2026-06-01 (Monday), effective immediately (Press Herald, June 1). No applications pending at adoption (Mayor Morse). Under existing ordinance data centers are permitted only in the Rock Row Contract Zone with ordinary site plan review. Follow-up (Press Herald, Sept. 22): planning board weighed benefits/drawbacks; staff recommended prohibiting standalone data centers and removing the use from Rock Row Contract Zone; accessory on-site enterprise centers would remain allowed. No final Council vote reported. Expiry date not stated in sources (180-day term; not computed). Ordinance number not established.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Westbrook, ME |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | June 1, 2026 |
| Citation | City of Westbrook, Me., 180-day data center moratorium (June 1, 2026) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Not stated in sources opened |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| News report | Westbrook City Council approves 180-day data center moratorium — Portland Press Herald |
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
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction. Every entry must carry a verifiable source.