Chatham County adopts 155-day moratorium on large data centers while staff studies impacts

The Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted on Sept. 11 to impose a temporary moratorium — 155 days as drafted — on the development or conversion of warehouses to large-scale data centers (defined in the draft as 10 megawatts or greater) in the unincorporated county. The motion was moved and seconded during the meeting's second-reading agenda item and passed after a public hearing.

Commissioners debated the balance between protecting neighborhoods and capturing revenue. One commissioner emphasized the study period and the ability to extend the moratorium if the county needs more time to get data: “When I first actually called for this, I asked for a year. The recommendation from the county attorney was 155 days rather than a year…but if we reach that point and we've not received that information that we want, it can actually be extended,” a commissioner said. Another commissioner urged caution, citing water and infrastructure concerns; a different commissioner noted the potential revenue upside, saying a single data center could produce tens of millions annually.

Staff and the county attorney were directed to refine definitions (including whether and how to address 'micro' data centers) and to return with a fuller report. A public commenter representing the Savannah Southeast Building and Construction Trades Council urged the board to gather accurate data to create safeguards and suggested possible locations for future facilities.