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The Data Center Divide

Coffee County

This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.

Slightly Pro-Data Center Policies

Coffee County’s measures are labeled enacted, though some descriptions call them proposed. They impose a one-year pause and tightly limit data centers to special approval in M-2, with height, setback, noise, water-use, and power-impact restrictions.

Rating from Tennessee statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Coffee County.

Specific to Coffee County only.

current law · Unincorporated areas
Restricts data centers to Coffee County’s M-2 industrial zone, subject to special approval, 500-foot setbacks, a 35-foot height limit, noise testing, limited water use, and utility-impact reviews.Coffee County Resolution 2026-18 — Data Center Zoning District Designation and Definition Amendment

What this means

The measure would make data center development very difficult: projects could only seek approval as a special exception in the M-2 district, which the county says currently contains only a quarry (M-2 is very limited). It also adds a 35-foot height limit, 500-foot setbacks, noise testing, and limits on water use, creating major barriers without banning centers outright (specific requirements).

Timing

The sources say Coffee County enacted a moratorium in June but do not state whether or when it expires.

People behind it

  • Finalized the zoning amendment and developed its restrictions. The Planning Commission finalized the amendment

  • Approved the resolution amendment. The Commission passed the resolution

  • The county’s consulting planner; the source says the planner contributed to the amendment process. Planning meetings included contributions from the county’s consulting professional planner; Harrington is identified as the county planner.

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  • The county attorney; the source says the attorney contributed to the amendment process. Planning meetings included contributions from the county attorney; Williams is identified as the county attorney.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements8

  • The county enacted a moratorium on data centers in June; the source gives no end date. Moratorium on data centers in June

  • Data centers are limited to the M-2 Industrial district and require approval as a special-exception use. Special exception use in M-2

  • Buildings are limited to 35 feet in height. Limit the building to a height of 35 feet

  • A 500-foot setback is required from any other zoned property. 500-foot setbacks

  • Applicants must provide a sound study showing noise no higher than 67 dB(A) during the day and 57 dB(A) at night. Maximum decibel levels

  • Water service is limited to kitchen and bathroom use. Water service to kitchen and bathroom use

  • A water-feasibility assessment is required for approval. Water feasibility required for approval

  • Power-supply arrangements are restricted to limit negative effects on the local community. Power supply restrictions

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • Data centers may seek approval as a special-exception use in the M-2 district, rather than being prohibited outright; this is limited to that district and remains subject to special-exception approval and the county’s restrictions. Data Centers in Zoning District M-2, Uses Permitted as Special Exceptions

Sources

current law · County measure
Restricts data centers to special approval in Coffee County’s M-2 industrial zone and sets limits on building height, setbacks, noise, water use, and power impacts.Coffee County Commission One-Year Data Center Moratorium Resolution (2026)

What this means

The proposed resolution would impose a one-year moratorium on data centers in Coffee County. If enacted, it would temporarily block covered projects, making development substantially harder, but it would not be a permanent ban.

Timing

Ends
one year after adoption

Resolution 2026-12 proposes a one-year moratorium on data centers within Coffee County, Tennessee.

People behind it

  • As County Mayor, proposed the data center moratorium.

  • Recommended the 12-month moratorium and finalized the zoning amendment establishing data center restrictions.

  • Approved the moratorium and later passed the resolution adding data center requirements.

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  • Prepared the resolution concerning data center regulation and contributed to developing the zoning amendment.

  • As County Attorney, contributed to the planning meetings that shaped the zoning amendment.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • A one-year moratorium on data centers within Coffee County, Tennessee.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • Data centers may seek approval as a special-exception use in M-2 Industrial districts; they are not categorically prohibited. The county’s only M-2 district is currently at the Hillsboro quarry.

Sources

current law · County measure
This county zoning amendment reportedly adds operating and siting requirements for data centers, including a 35-foot height limit, setbacks, sound-study limits, water-service restrictions, water-feasibility review, and power-supply conditions.Coffee County data-center zoning amendment (2026)

What this means

The proposed one-year moratorium would pause data center development in Coffee County, a major short-term barrier. A separate proposed zoning change would allow data centers only as special exceptions in M-2 districts, so development would still face limits afterward (one-year moratorium; special exceptions in M-2).

Timing

Ends
one year after adoption

Resolution 2026-12 proposes a one-year moratorium on data centers within Coffee County. The sources do not state the adoption date or any extension conditions.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • A proposed resolution would impose a one-year moratorium on data centers within Coffee County, Tennessee.

Sources

current law · County measure: Data centers and accessory uses in the county's M-2 Industrial district
Restricts data centers in Coffee County to special approval in M-2 industrial zones and sets limits on building height, setbacks, noise and water use, with utility and water feasibility requirements.Coffee County data center zoning-restrictions resolution approved October 13, 2026

What this means

The rules would make development very difficult by limiting data centers to a special-exception use in M-2 industrial zones, with only one such county district identified, and requiring large setbacks and strict noise limits. Limits on water use and power impacts add more hurdles, so these restrictions could rule out many otherwise possible projects.

Timing

The article says the county enacted a data center moratorium in June but does not state when it expires.

People behind it

  • Passed the resolution establishing the data center requirements (passed a resolution during the Oct. 13 meeting).

  • Finalized the zoning amendment that created the requirements (finalized during the Sept. 22 meeting the zoning amendment).

  • The county planner with Rhinehart Consulting Services; the county’s consulting planner contributed to the amendment’s development (meetings that included contributions from the county’s consulting professional planner).

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  • The county attorney; the county attorney contributed to the amendment’s development (meetings that included contributions from ... the county attorney).

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements8

  • The county enacted a moratorium on data centers in June; the article does not state an end date. Moratorium on data centers

  • Data centers are limited to special-exception use in the M-2 Industrial district. Special exception use in M-2

  • Buildings are limited to 35 feet in height. Limit the building to a height of 35 feet

  • A 500-foot setback is required from any other zoned property. 500-foot setbacks

  • Approval requires a sound study showing noise no higher than 67 dB(A) during daytime and 57 dB(A) at night. Maximum decibel levels

  • Water service is limited to kitchen and bathroom use. Water service to kitchen and bathroom use

  • A water-feasibility assessment is required for approval. Water feasibility will be required for approval

  • Power supply is subject to restrictions intended to limit negative impacts on the local community. Power supply restrictions

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • Data centers may be considered for approval as a special-exception use, but only in the M-2 Industrial district.

Sources

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