Last updated August 18, 2026
US data center permitting statistics
How fast data center permitting is growing, how often projects are approved, where moratoria are spreading, and how much community opposition projects face. Every figure comes from Spark's database of local permits, board decisions, and meeting records.
Key findings
Are data center permit filings increasing?
Yes. Data center permit filings in the first half of 2026 were up 58% compared with the first half of 2025, based on Spark's tracking of local permit records.
What share of data center permits get approved?
About 77.4% of data center permit decisions made by local authorities in the first half of 2026 were approvals, and 22.6% were denials.
Which states have data center moratoria?
40 of 50 states have at least one county with an active, adopted data center moratorium as of August 18, 2026. The highest shares of affected counties are in New York (statewide), Maryland (39.1% of counties), Massachusetts (28.6% of counties).
Which states have the most data center development?
Texas, Virginia, and Georgia have the largest data center development pipelines in Spark's data, counting projects that have filed a permit, started construction, or become operational.
Where is community opposition to data centers most active?
In the first half of 2026, Spark recorded the most public opposition to data center projects in Texas, Missouri, and Utah, including contested hearings, organized resident pushback, and opposition posts on local social media.
By state
Highest share of counties with an active moratorium
| State | Counties affected |
|---|---|
| New York | Statewide |
| Maryland | 39.1% |
| Massachusetts | 28.6% |
| Michigan | 25.3% |
| Maine | 25% |
Fastest-growing permit filings (H1 2026 vs. H1 2025)
| State | Change |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | +225% |
| Ohio | +135% |
| North Carolina | +118% |
| Wisconsin | +118% |
| Texas | +76% |
Highest approval rates (H1 2026)
| State | Approval rate |
|---|---|
| Kentucky | 100% |
| Tennessee | 100% |
| Arizona | 88.9% |
| Indiana | 88.2% |
| Utah | 88.1% |
Lowest approval rates (H1 2026)
| State | Approval rate |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | 44.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 56.4% |
| California | 68% |
| North Carolina | 68.2% |
| Oklahoma | 68.4% |
See every state ranked on these measures in the data center rankings by state or explore projects on the US data center map.
Methodology
- Permit filings and approval rates: based on permit events dated January 1 – June 30 of each year, so 2025 and 2026 are compared over the same six-month window. We publish percentage changes and shares rather than raw counts. State tables include only states with enough permit activity for a meaningful rate.
- Moratoria: share of a state's counties with an active, adopted data center moratorium. Township and municipal moratoria are counted toward the county they sit in. This is a text-based classification of local decisions, not a legal determination.
- Opposition: public-opposition events such as contested hearings, organized resident pushback, and opposition posts on local social media, recorded January 1 – June 30, 2026.
- Figures come from Spark's database of local permits, board and commission decisions, meeting records, and local news, last refreshed August 18, 2026.