City Council Evening Session, October 6, 2026
Approved: Six-month data center moratorium ordinance, 7-1
What happened
On October 6, 2026, Raleigh approved Six-month data center moratorium ordinance (7-1).
Raleigh City Council adopted a six-month moratorium (October 6, 2026 through April 6, 2027 or until new regulations are adopted) on development approvals for major utility data centers on a 7-1 vote, with a technical correction exempting state projects under NCGS 160D-913.
- Jurisdiction
- Raleigh, NC
- Governing body
- Final authority
- Date
- October 6, 2026
- Decisions
- 6 zoning decisions
- Outcome
- Approved, 7-1
Projects in this meeting (5)
Each is its own project; some span multiple hearingsSix-month data center moratorium
Approved 7-13911 Western Boulevard
Approved6309 Litchford Road
Denied 7-1Planning Commission report - Capital Boulevard
Approved 6-24020 Carrier Drive
ApprovedFree sample: decision 1 of 6
Six-month data center moratorium ordinance
Temporary moratorium on all development approvals (site plans, building permits, utility permits) for major utility data centers (over 10,000 sq ft or over 5 MW), covering both principal and accessory uses. It runs October 6 through April 6, or until new regulations are adopted, whichever occurs first. Minor utility data centers, state-exempt projects under NCGS 160D-913, and vested or exempt projects are excluded. Many public speakers asked for 32 months. The motion passed 7-1.
- technical correction adding exemption for projects exempted under NCGS 160D-913
The other decisions are listed below. Available full write-ups and conditions are included with Pro.
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Key Decisions (6)
Six-month data center moratorium ordinance
Street closure STC 03 2025 Midtown Market Avenue
Rezoning Z4325 at 6309 Litchford Road
Rezoning Z5025 Capitol Boulevard
Rezoning Z5625 at 4020 Carrier Drive
Rezoning Z0726 at 3911 Western Boulevard
Full write-ups and conditions for all 6 decisions in Pro.
Zoning Changes (4)
Development Activity (5)
Capitol Boulevard redevelopment (Z5025)
Mixed-Use
Litchford Road residential (Z4325)
Residential
Wake County Carrier Drive facility modernization
Industrial
2 additional development records with full detail in Pro.
Market Signals (4)
Infrastructure
Raleigh is pausing major data center approvals until April 2027…
Sentiment
Strong organized public opposition to data centers is evident, with…
Housing Demand
The Capitol Boulevard/Iron Works corridor near future BRT is transitioning…
Sentiment
Neighborhood traffic opposition defeated a modest infill density increase on…
Who spoke
38 distinct speakers; 7 identified names.
All speaker roles: 1 Attorney, 19 Public, 7 Councilmember, 3 Unknown, 1 Mayor, 3 Applicant Rep, 4 Staff.
Identified name roles: 1 Attorney, 2 Applicant Rep, 3 Staff, 1 Councilmember.
Speaker sample: Ross Massey, Applicant Rep.
6 more identified names in Pro: 1 Attorney, 3 Staff, 1 Councilmember, 1 Applicant Rep.
Full speaker roster in Pro
Meeting audio
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Audio in Pro
Zoning terms (20)
242 recorded timestamps
- public hearing (15 timestamps)
- zoning (58 timestamps)
- special use permit (18 timestamps)
- industrial (18 timestamps)
- mixed use (12 timestamps)
- density (10 timestamps)
Decision moments (6)
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Go deeper on this meeting
6 recorded decisions, 3 conditions across 3 decisions. Available full write-ups are included with Pro for Raleigh.
Full write-up and conditions in Pro
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