Fort Mill moratorium on new home projects is almost set. Here’s what we know
Fort Mill is poised to start a moratorium on new home or apartment projects. If finalized, the residential construction ban in the fast-growing town would run through the end of this year.
“I like the word pause,” Mayor Guynn Savage said. “That’s a good way to describe it.”
Fort Mill Town Council voted unanimously for the moratorium on May 19. A public hearing and second vote are required before it becomes final. Council’s next scheduled meeting is June 9, but the final vote is expected at the following meeting on June 23.
Fort Mill has been a magnet for residential growth, dating back decades. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the town had 36,244 residents last summer. That’s up 48% since 2020, more than triple the rate of any other large city or town in the Charlotte metro region.
The moratorium wouldn’t allow the town to accept or process any rezoning or application requests for new residential construction.
The move applies to projects with any residential component, even if it is largely commercial. The moratorium would not apply to new businesses, schools or other construction apart from residential.
The town has a comprehensive plan, downtown master plan and recreation master plan all being updated. The year-end deadline would allow town planners to complete those efforts.
“All those plans serve as the foundation of our future land use decisions,” said assistant town manager Chris Pettit.
The moratorium, he said, only applies to new projects. “This does not have any impact on (approved plans),” Pettit said. “Subdivisions that are already under construction, you will still see those under construction.”
Rezoning and annexation for non-residential projects will continue.
If someone wants to rezone or change a residential project that doesn’t increase the number of residences it would allow, that’s permissible too. If property owners already have the residential zoning they need to move forward without further town approval, the moratorium wouldn’t impact them either.
The moratorium could extend beyond this year but it would have to be tied to some town planning effort to warrant it, according to state law.
“You can’t just stop entitlements without having it tied to something,” Pettit said.
Are new rules on the way for Fort Mill?
Changes through the end of the year via comprehensive plan updates could mean new rules once the town resumes taking applications.
The moratorium keeps the town from accepting applications under what soon may become outdated rules. Ongoing plan updates will have space for residential growth, but the moratorium is intended to guide it where town leaders see fit.
“As we look at future areas where that’s appropriate, and what fits with the future of Fort Mill, I think it’s absolutely something we can do,” Savage said.
This story was originally published June 3, 2025 at 2:53 PM.
