Nashville Data Center Moratorium (effective through Dec 1, 2026)
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)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- December 1, 2026
- Applies to
- Data center developers seeking new Metro Nashville permits or approvals through December 1, 2026
- Enforced by
- Metro Nashville Planning Department / Codes Administration
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.
Who is protected: Davidson County residents near proposed data center sites
Legal 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 Permanent Data Center Zoning (500k sq ft cap + BZA approval). Mayor O'Connell's eminent-domain bill to acquire Zoo-adjacent DC Blox parcel also advanced.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Nashville, TN |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | July 21, 2026 |
| Citation | Metro Nashville-Davidson County, ordinance adopted July 21, 2026 (data center moratorium, effective through Dec 1, 2026) |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| News report | Nashville passes data center zoning and permit moratorium — Nashville Banner |
More AI rules in Nashville, TN
- Nashville Permanent Data Center Zoning (500k sq ft cap + BZA approval) · In effect
- DC Blox v. Metro Nashville data center moratorium suit · Blocked / in litigation
- Nashville Surveillance Equipment Council-Approval Ordinance (Metro Code 13.08.080) · In effect
- Metro Nashville GenAI Policy · In effect
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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