Metro Nashville Data Center Moratorium — Enacted July 21, 2026
Nashville, TN · Metro Nashville-Davidson County, ordinance adopted July 21, 2026 (data center moratorium, effective through Dec 1, 2026)
Nashville's Metro Council enacted a temporary countywide freeze on new data center permits on July 21, 2026, pausing acceptance and processing of zoning, building, and grading approvals through December 1, 2026, while permanent data center zoning rules are finalized. The moratorium was driven by a proposed data center adjacent to the Nashville Zoo and the largest public-comment turnout in Metro Council history (200+ speakers over a marathon overnight session in July). The Metro Council also advanced Mayor Freddie O'Connell's eminent-domain legislation to acquire the Zoo-adjacent parcel targeted by DC Blox.
Technical detail
Ordinance adopted unanimously July 21, 2026, imposing a countywide moratorium on acceptance, processing, and approval of zoning/building/grading permits for data centers through December 1, 2026 or the effective date of permanent data center zoning legislation, whichever is sooner. Companion permanent bill enacted same night: see nashville-dc-zoning-permanent-2026. Mayor O'Connell's eminent-domain bill to acquire Zoo-adjacent DC Blox parcel also advanced.
Who is protected: Davidson County residents near proposed data center sites
Who must comply: Data center developers seeking new Metro Nashville permits or approvals through December 1, 2026
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Nashville, TN |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Effective date | 2026-07-21 |
| Enacted | 2026-07-21 |
| Citation | Metro Nashville-Davidson County, ordinance adopted July 21, 2026 (data center moratorium, effective through Dec 1, 2026) |
| Enforced by | Metro Nashville Planning Department / Codes Administration |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| Last verified | 2026-07-22 |
| Official source | Nashville passes data center zoning and permit moratorium — Nashville Banner ↗ |
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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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