DeKalb County, Georgia commissioners voted 5-2 on June 9 to extend the county's data center construction moratorium by 100 days, pushing the pause on new approvals through September 30, 2026. The extension continues a moratorium originally established in July 2025, giving the county additional time to study the impact of large-scale data center development on local infrastructure and residents.
Two data centers currently operate within DeKalb County. County officials have faced pressure from residents concerned about potential effects on health, the environment, and utility bills as data center demand continues to expand across the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Commissioner Nicole Massiah, who supported the extension, cited the need for a thorough review before any new data center permits are issued. The moratorium applies specifically to new construction and does not affect operations at existing facilities.
DeKalb County sits within one of the fastest-growing data center markets in the Southeast United States. Proximity to Atlanta's fiber infrastructure, available land, and competitive power rates have drawn significant interest from operators seeking to expand capacity to meet demand driven by artificial intelligence workloads.
The 100-day extension gives county staff additional time to complete a study of zoning, environmental, and infrastructure considerations before any new development is permitted.
Source: Atlanta News First -- https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2026/06/09/dekalb-county-extends-data-center-moratorium/