Fort Worth Advances 90-Day Data Center Moratorium as Texas Lawmakers Prepare Bills

Fort Worth's City Council held the first of two required public hearings on a proposed 90-day moratorium on data center development on Nov. 10. About two dozen residents spoke, and nearly all supported the pause so the city can craft stricter regulations. Council members had earlier voted unanimously in August to start the process, and a three-fourths majority is needed for final adoption.

Under the state-mandated timeline, the moratorium would take effect Feb. 23 and end May 24 unless extended. During that window, the Texas Legislature convenes its 90th session and is weighing statewide data center rules. Governor Greg Abbott has already directed state agencies to pause data center permitting and audit grid connections, while Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has pledged a statewide ban until lawmakers act. It is unclear how a statewide pause would interact with Fort Worth's local measure.

Early bills would ban data center tax incentives, require water and energy usage disclosure, and give cities or counties approval authority over new facilities. A $10 billion Black Mountain project in southeast Fort Worth would continue because it is already permitted.

Practical implication: developers should expect zoning and permit requests for data centers in Fort Worth to stall for about 90 days once the moratorium takes effect, and should track state legislation closely.