TAUNTON, MA — In a decisive move addressing rapid digital infrastructure development, the Taunton City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, to implement a total ban on data centers within the city limits alongside a concurrent one-year moratorium on new data center projects.
While both measures target the same industry, city officials emphasize that they serve distinct legal functions. The permanent ban is designed to outright prohibit data centers in Taunton, while the one-year moratorium establishes a crucial buffer zone of protection should the ban encounter legal challenges.
City Planner Kevin Scanlon explained that adopting both approaches simultaneously allows municipal leaders to observe how similar bans are navigated in neighboring Massachusetts communities. Furthermore, it buys the city necessary time to iron out potential regulatory and legal complications.
Ahead of the vote, a developer owning an existing building within the Myles Standish Industrial Park petitioned the council for a moratorium exemption, citing strong interest from a prospective data center tenant. However, the City Council denied the request, leaving no exemptions for existing structures within the newly enacted rules.
The dual measures highlight Taunton’s commitment to halting new data center expansion while safeguarding the municipality against future legal disputes. The city has expressed gratitude to the numerous residents who voiced their concerns and actively participated in the public process.
