Chatham County (Pittsboro) Enacts Moratorium on Data Centers
Chatham commissioners approve temporary data center moratorium
- By THE SANFORD HERALD
- Feb 14, 2026
https://instaread.co/player?article=chatham-commissioners-approve-temporary-data-center-moratorium&publication=sanfordherald&pay_wall=false&article_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sanfordherald.com%2Farchives%2Fchatham-commissioners-approve-temporary-data-center-moratorium%2Farticle_344c2cf4-8f04-58c0-97e2-0e49b1fcda83.html&version=1771361400000
PITTSBORO — On Monday, Feb. 9, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners approved a temporary moratorium on the permitting of data centers, data processing facilities and cryptocurrency mining operations in the unincorporated areas of Chatham County.
Before approving the moratorium, the board held a public hearing and received written and verbal comments from more than two dozen people.
The moratorium takes effect immediately and will remain in place until Feb. 11, 2027, or until new zoning regulations are adopted, whichever comes first.
The action allows the county time to study the impacts of these uses and to develop clear, modern standards to guide where and how data centers may operate in the future, according to the release.
“Our goal is to protect residents, natural resources and quality of life while we develop clear, thoughtful standards that reflect today’s technologies and align with the county’s long-term vision,” Commissioner Chair Amanda Robertson said.
During the moratorium period, Chatham County Planning staff will:
• Study the environmental and community impacts of data centers and cryptocurrency mining,
• Review how other local governments in North Carolina and across the country regulate these uses,
• Develop proposed zoning definitions, performance standards and mitigation measures, and
• Seek public input throughout the process.
The moratorium is intended to support responsible planning consistent with Plan Chatham and Recode Chatham, the county’s development policies.
