The City of Roswell has proactively placed a temporary pause on new data center development while officials draft potential zoning and development standards to regulate the industry.
On January 12, 2026, the Mayor and City Council approved a Temporary Emergency Moratorium on the establishment of new data centers in the City of Roswell. The action stops new data center applications from moving forward while city staff reviews the issue and develops regulation recommendations.
Existing data centers can continue operating, and the measure does not affect legally vested development rights.
At the time the moratorium was approved, Roswell did not have data-center-specific regulations in its Unified Development Code (UDC).
The moratorium was extended in April and will expire June 26, 2026, unless extended. The City has no projects currently proposed for data center development.
Timeline
January 12, 2026
Mayor and Council unanimously approve a 90-day emergency moratorium on new data centers and direct staff to begin developing use regulations.
March 23, 2026
Mayor and Council approved a 95-day extension (to June 26, 2026) to the moratorium to allow staff additional time to consolidate research and findings.
May 19, 2026
The Planning Commission heard a staff presentation regarding research findings contained in a 27-page “white paper” on the topic. Staff also presented a potential regulatory framework to restrict operations within the City.
June 4, 2026
The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing to hear from residents on the topic of data centers, their potential impact on the City, and the regulatory framework needed to protect the community. The Planning Commission deferred the item to their June 16, 2026, meeting.
Current Status
Staff will request another moratorium extension to allow time for additional research and for Mayor and Council to fully consider the potential impacts of data center operations. An agenda item originally slated for June will be administratively postponed. Mayor and Council may consider the item late July or August.
Staff’s investigation includes reviewing these issues:
- Zoning and development standards
- Infrastructure and utility capacity
- Environmental impacts
- Noise, lighting and other nuisance
- Land-use compatibility