Councilmember Jawando introduces two‑year moratorium on new data center permits

Councilmember Will Jawando introduced an expedited bill on May 12 that would pause issuance of new building permits for large data center development in Montgomery County for two years while the county updates ordinances and technical standards.

"This is not a no, never. This is a yes if we do it right," said Councilmember Will Jawando, who called for upgrades during the moratorium including revising the noise ordinance, requiring closed-loop water cooling, ensuring renewable energy availability on the grid, and changing tax treatment to reflect the long-term impacts of such facilities. He said the pause would allow the county to address noise setbacks (currently written for smaller-scale uses), confirm water-cooling requirements, and work with the state on tax code adjustments.

Staff clarified the moratorium’s timing: any building permit not approved before the bill’s effective date would be halted while the county completes its review. Jawando emphasized that the proposed Dickerson data‑center complex would be consequential and irreversible if permitted without new safeguards. He said the moratorium would stop current permit issuance until the expedited bill advances.

Why it matters: Sponsors argued the moratorium would buy time to update environmental, noise, and energy rules and to negotiate tax provisions at the state level. Opponents may argue about economic impacts; the Council will take public testimony at a scheduled hearing on June 16, 2026.

Next steps: Public hearing set for June 16, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.; staff will prepare details on permit status and technical standards during the pause.