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The Data Center Divide

City of McMinnville

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

Slightly Pro-Data Center Policies

McMinnville has enacted an 18-month pause on city reviews and approvals for new data centers, although the description calls the ordinance proposed. Existing facilities may operate but not expand, and vested applications are exempt.

Rating from Tennessee statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for City of McMinnville.

current law · City of McMinnville
The McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen adopted an 18-month moratorium on data-center and high-density-computing development within the city.McMinnville, Tennessee 18-month data center moratorium ordinance (2026)

What this means

The proposed ordinance would pause city review and approval of applications for new data centers and high-density computing facilities for 18 months. Existing facilities could keep operating, but could not expand their footprint, height, or utility capacity; vested applications are exempt. This temporary freeze would substantially delay or prevent new development and expansion during that period.

Timing

Ends
18 months from the effective date of the Ordinance

The moratorium expires after 18 months unless repealed, extended, or modified by an official vote and passage of an amending ordinance.

People behind it

  • Mayor who called the special session to consider the ordinance and signed the meeting call.

  • Legislative body identified as responsible for enacting the ordinance.

  • Directed to study the impacts of data centers and draft permanent zoning amendments during the moratorium.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements7

  • Creates an immediate moratorium, effective upon final passage, on accepting, processing, reviewing, or approving applications for any new data center or high-density computing facility within McMinnville.

  • The moratorium covers zoning changes, conditional-use permits, site-plan reviews, building permits, and variances for new data centers or high-density computing facilities.

  • The moratorium lasts 18 months from its effective date, unless the Board repeals, extends, or modifies it by amending ordinance.

  • Defines high-density computing or crypto-mining facilities to include operations exceeding 250 watts per square foot or using more than 1 megawatt of total utility load.

  • Existing data centers are exempt only if they do not expand their physical footprint, structure height, or utility capacity.

  • Applications are exempt only if they were formally submitted, fully completed, and legally vested under Tennessee's Vested Property Rights Act before the ordinance's first reading.

  • Directs the Planning Commission and municipal staff to develop permanent zoning amendments addressing data-center location, design, utility requirements, and environmental standards, including possible noise limits, acoustic enclosures, sound studies, large buffer zones, water-use limits, wastewater controls, stormwater requirements, and developer payment of 100% of specified electrical infrastructure expansion costs.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2

  • Existing data centers that were legally established and operating before the ordinance’s effective date are exempt from the moratorium and may continue operating, provided they do not expand their physical footprint, structure height, or utility capacity.

  • A data-center or high-density-computing application is exempt from the moratorium if it was formally submitted, fully completed, and legally vested under Tennessee’s Vested Property Rights Act before the ordinance’s first reading.

Sources

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