Fort Worth to consider starting lengthy data center moratorium process
The City of Fort Worth is set to officially begin the process of deciding whether to adopt a moratorium on new data center developments.
On July 9, a majority of the Fort Worth City Council called for the moratorium as the city weighs potential new regulations on data centers.
The move came after the Fort Worth Zoning Commission voted on July 8 not to recommend that the city council adopt a sweeping proposal that would bring data centers into the city’s zoning code and establish development standards for them.
The council was expected to vote on the proposed zoning changes at its Aug. 11 meeting, however, Fort Worth city manager Jay Chapa removed the proposed zoning updates from the meeting agenda, city spokesperson Sana Syed said in a text message to the Star-Telegram.
Chapa also removed proposals for new rules around noise and economic development agreements related to data centers, however, the council will consider new rules governing data center water use, Syed said.
The biggest change to the Aug. 11 agenda will be the council voting to “initiate the legal process, as outlined under state law, to enact a moratorium on new data center development applications while the City completes its regulatory framework,” according to a city press release.
“People told me I was crazy,” said Ambika Sharma, a Fort Worth resident who has strongly advocated for a data center moratorium. “I’m very excited and I’m thankful for them because this is what we’ve been asking for. We want the city to be more thoughtful in terms of the type of regulations for a type of business that’s here forever.”
Sharma said that she believes the city should call a special meeting to begin the moratorium process before the Aug. 11 meeting.
“I urge that a special meeting be called immediately and that we don’t wait until August 11 to vote on starting the process for the data center moratorium officially,” Sharma said. “We are wasting valuable time.”
The moratorium process is a parallel track to the city’s efforts to update its data center development regulations, said District 9 city council member Elizabeth Beck.
“The end goal is regulation, not moratorium, because at the end of the day a moratorium is temporary,” Beck said.
She noted that state law limits moratoriums to a total of 180-days, and prevents the city from implementing another moratorium on data center development for two years after the first moratorium expires.
“What I’ve been saying is right over rushed, and that’s why we need the moratorium,” Beck said, adding the pause will give the city more time to consult experts and get more public feedback before voting on new rules.
She pointed to the city’s process to develop its gas well drilling ordinance as a model for how Fort Worth could move forward on new rules around data centers.
District 3 council member Michael Crain, whose district includes the proposed Edged Data Center development near Veale Ranch, also voiced support for the moratorium while arguing it’s not a complete solution.
In a text message to the Star-Telegram, Crain argued the pause would give Fort Worth the opportunity to create a framework that could serve as a model for other cities confronting similar challenges.
“Prudent leadership requires confronting problems directly and working tirelessly toward real, lasting solutions for our community,” Crain said in his text.
That ordinance would begin a lengthy public hearing process required under Texas state law. The city council would not be able to vote on enacting the moratorium until December.
In a July 9 statement to the Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker pointed to that December timeline to express concern the moratorium process would leave the city without more restrictive regulations for at least five months.
In an emailed statement Monday, Parker said, “I look forward to working with my colleagues to find the right solution when we reconvene in August.”
City staff will continue to work with residents, industry stakeholders and council members to develop regulations that “protect neighborhoods, preserve quality of life and establish clear expectations for responsible, best-in-class data center development in Fort Worth,” the city press release said.
The city council will also get a briefing at its Aug. 4 work session on public feedback around data center regulations, and potential updates proposed changes to city regulations, the press release said.
The city also announced that it will not be providing interviews about data centers to journalists until the Aug. 11 meeting.
This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 1:37 PM.
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