The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Loudon County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Slightly Pro-Data Center Policies
Loudon County has enacted a temporary pause on approvals, applications, construction, and operation of qualifying data centers. It is set to end within six months unless extended or changed, and excludes some state and telecommunications facilities.
Rating from Tennessee statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Loudon County.
Specific to Loudon County only.
current law · Unincorporated areasWould impose an immediate, temporary moratorium on data center facility approvals in unincorporated Loudon County to address land-use, infrastructure, noise, electricity-demand, fire-risk, and community-benefit concerns.Loudon County Commission Resolution imposing a temporary moratorium on data centers/facilities (2026)
What this means
If enacted, the measure would pause approvals, applications, construction, and operation for qualifying data centers in Loudon County. The pause is set to end within six months unless the Commission changes or extends it, and some state and telecommunications facilities are excluded.
Timing
- Ends
- six months from the date of adoption, unless the Commission adopts updated Data Center facility operation standards or otherwise extends, modifies, or rescinds it
The moratorium prohibits approval, filing, locating, construction, and operation of covered Data Center facilities during the moratorium. The adoption date is not filled in, so no calendar expiration date can be determined.
People behind it
- Loudon County Board of Commissioners
Legislative body that proposed, adopted, amended, and authorized the resolutions and budget measures in the packet.
- Jim Jenkins
Loudon County Codes Enforcement Director who presented zoning-related measures to the County Commission.
- Planning and Codes Director
County official responsible for administering the data-center moratorium and studying related land-use regulations.
Show 1 more peopleShow fewer people
- Erin Rice
Loudon County Director of Accounts and Budgets/Budget Director responsible for preparing and administering the budget amendments and financial materials.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements6
An immediate moratorium bars approval of any proposed data-center location, construction, operation, permitting, or vesting within Loudon County.
During the moratorium, data centers may not file preliminary or final development plans, building-permit applications, or similar applications that could create vesting rights, and may not locate, construct, or operate in the county.
During the moratorium, the county may not issue permits or approvals—including zoning approvals, building approvals, utility extensions, building permits, text amendments, or development agreements—for establishing a data center.
The restriction applies to facilities projected to have peak electric demand of at least 50 megawatts during their first three years of operation. It excludes state-owned or state-operated facilities and facilities owned or operated by telecommunications, broadband, internet, cable, mobile, or wireless providers when primarily supporting those network or broadband services.
The moratorium does not apply to otherwise-permitted commercial or industrial businesses that use data-processing equipment solely for their internal operations.
The moratorium lasts until the earliest of six months after adoption, adoption of updated data-center operating standards, or further Commission action extending, modifying, or rescinding it.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data