Oklahoma City Extends Data Center Moratorium Through 2027

The Oklahoma City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on November 10, 2026, to extend a temporary moratorium on new data centers within the city limits through December 31, 2027.

According to okc.gov, the extension takes effect immediately. The measure halts the acceptance of new applications, rezoning requests, and permits for the construction or expansion of large-scale data centers that carry electrical loads exceeding 75 megawatts.

Oklahoma City extends moratorium on data center applications, rezoning requests

City officials are using this period to determine how these massive energy consumers should be integrated into the local area. The pause provides a window to evaluate the long-term implications of rapid data infrastructure growth on the municipal grid and land use patterns.

Planning Director Geoff Butler noted that the city intends to use the additional time to research best practices and collaborate with consultants and community stakeholders. The goal is to update the existing zoning code, which may include the creation of a specific use unit dedicated to data centers.

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“Extending the temporary moratorium will give City Council time to evaluate the full scope of the potential impacts and determine appropriate regulations,” Butler said. Planning Director Geoff Butler

The moratorium is not necessarily a permanent blockade. The City Council maintains the authority to lift the suspension before the December 2027 deadline if they approve specific amendments to the city’s zoning code regarding data center operations.

The decision highlights the tension between the demand for digital infrastructure and the need for predictable urban planning. By setting a specific threshold of 75 megawatts, the city is specifically targeting the most resource-intensive installations while leaving smaller-scale technological developments unhindered.