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Carroll County enacts 100‑day moratorium on data centers, battery storage and similar technology projects
Summary
The Carroll County Board of Commissioners approved a 100‑day moratorium on accepting applications and issuing permits for data centers, battery energy storage systems, solar farms and related technology uses while staff and the county attorney review and propose zoning‑ordinance revisions.
Carroll County commissioners voted unanimously on March 3 to place a 100‑day moratorium on new applications and permits for technology facilities including data centers, cryptocurrency‑mining facilities, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and solar farms.
Ben Skipper, director of community development, presented the resolution as a pause to allow staff and the county attorney time to review and revise the county zoning ordinance to address “new technology facilities and uses.” Skipper said the moratorium would halt acceptance of applications, land‑disturbance permits and related permitting activities for 100 days from the date of adoption while staff develops recommended ordinance changes for the board’s consideration.
Supporters on the dais framed the moratorium as a short, deliberate pause to ensure regulations keep pace with rapidly evolving technology uses and statewide trends. The resolution passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition (motion passed 7–0).
The moratorium does not retroactively change any previously issued permits, but it prevents new applications from being filed and processed under current rules for the 100‑day period. Staff told the board it would return with proposed ordinance language and suggested changes for the commissioners to consider before the moratorium expires.
