Massachusetts Moratoria
Every infrastructure moratorium we have identified in Massachusetts as of April 2026.
5 instruments — 2 in force, 3 pending, 0 past. Activity level: Medium.
| Jurisdiction | Type | Date enacted | Duration | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everett (restriction proposal, not moratorium) | City | Not enacted as of 2026-04-29 | Not a moratorium | 🟡 Pending |
| Gill (proposal, not enacted as of 2026-04-29) | Town | Not enacted; Annual Town Meeting scheduled 2026-05-04 | Proposed 2026-05-04 to 2027-05-03, if adopted | 🟡 Pending |
| Heath (proposal, not enacted as of 2026-04-29) | Town | Not enacted; Annual Town Meeting scheduled 2026-05-09 | Proposed one year from effective date | 🟡 Pending |
| Lowell | City | 2026-03-10 | 360 days; one optional extension up to 180 days by two-thirds City Council vote | 🟢 Active |
| Shutesbury | Town | 2025-09-30 | Until 2026-06-30 | 🟢 Active |
Detailed entries
Everett (restriction proposal, not moratorium)
- Type: City
- Status: 🟡 Pending
- Date enacted: Not enacted as of 2026-04-29
- Duration: Not a moratorium
- Moratorium ID:
ma-everett-2026 - Legal basis: Proposed amendment to Section 37, Everett Docklands Innovation District zoning
- What prompted it: Public opposition to possible data center uses at the former ExxonMobil/Docklands site; concerns over water, electricity, noise, heat, and environmental justice
- Affected projects: No data center formally proposed; The Davis Companies has a master plan special permit for the Docklands redevelopment
- Detailed status: Planning Board endorsed restrictions on 2026-04-06; City Council action pending
- Outcome: Proposed shift from by-right treatment to special permit, ancillary-use limits, and size/capacity cap; no moratorium identified
Gill (proposal, not enacted as of 2026-04-29)
- Type: Town
- Status: 🟡 Pending
- Date enacted: Not enacted; Annual Town Meeting scheduled 2026-05-04
- Duration: Proposed 2026-05-04 to 2027-05-03, if adopted
- Moratorium ID:
ma-gill-2026 - Legal basis: Proposed Section 18, Building-Integrated Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Data Centers
- What prompted it: Data centers undefined in Gill zoning bylaws; unique energy and noise impacts; related BESS state-regulatory uncertainty
- Affected projects: Proposed to bar special permits, site plan approvals, building permits, zoning permits, certificates of occupancy, and other approvals for BESS or data centers townwide
- Detailed status: Proposed
- Outcome: If adopted, Planning Board would study regulations for consideration at spring 2027 Town Meeting
Heath (proposal, not enacted as of 2026-04-29)
- Type: Town
- Status: 🟡 Pending
- Date enacted: Not enacted; Annual Town Meeting scheduled 2026-05-09
- Duration: Proposed one year from effective date
- Moratorium ID:
ma-heath-2026 - Legal basis: Proposed Zoning Bylaw Section 6.11, submitted by Planning Board and recommended by Select Board
- What prompted it: Need to study BESS and data centers and develop zoning controls consistent with state siting and permitting requirements
- Affected projects: Proposed to bar special permits, site plan approvals, building permits, zoning permits, certificates of occupancy, and other approvals for BESS or data centers townwide
- Detailed status: Proposed
- Outcome: If adopted and later approved by the Attorney General, Planning Board would study BESS and data center zoning during the moratorium
Lowell
- Type: City
- Status: 🟢 Active
- Date enacted: 2026-03-10
- Duration: 360 days; one optional extension up to 180 days by two-thirds City Council vote
- Moratorium ID:
ma-lowell-2026 - Legal basis: Ordinance amending Chapter 290, Article II, Article VII Section 7.11, and Article XII of the Lowell Zoning Code
- What prompted it: Zoning code gap, Markley facility expansion concerns, neighborhood air/noise impacts, diesel generators, water and power capacity, and environmental justice concerns
- Affected projects: New data center construction and development citywide; new expansion of existing data centers. The Markley Group Lowell facility (352,000 sq ft) is the central local controversy. MW capacity of the existing Markley Lowell facility is not publicly disclosed in captured records
- Detailed status: Active
- Outcome: City staff must study impacts and draft zoning recommendations; staff must also consider enforcement policies and a community benefit agreement requirement
Shutesbury
- Type: Town
- Status: 🟢 Active
- Date enacted: 2025-09-30
- Duration: Until 2026-06-30
- Moratorium ID:
ma-shutesbury-2025 - Legal basis: Special Town Meeting Article 10; Zoning Bylaw Section 8.13, with amendments to Section 3.1-1 Use Table and Section 13.2 definitions
- What prompted it: Planning Board need to study an undefined land use; concerns about water consumption, discharge, energy demand, noise, lighting, security, backup diesel generation, and possible well impacts
- Affected projects: New applications for or building of data centers townwide; no named project or MW identified
- Detailed status: Active until 2026-06-30
- Outcome: Moratorium adopted with data centers listed as prohibited in all four zoning districts (RR, FC, TC, LW); Planning Board anticipated a full bylaw amendment for spring 2026 Town Meeting
Source: moratorium_inventory.csv · Methodology · Codebook.