Mayor Andre Dickens signed an Executive Order establishing a temporary moratorium on new self-storage developments across the City of Atlanta, protecting critical development opportunities while Atlanta City Council considers legislation sponsored by Councilmember Dustin Hillis that would create a longer-term policy framework for evaluating these uses.

The Executive Order directs the Department of City Planning’s Office of Buildings and Office of Zoning and Development to refuse new applications for building permits, land disturbance permits, special use permits, special administrative permits, and rezonings related to self-storage facilities, secure-storage facilities, and mixed-use storage facilities.

The action comes as the City advances the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative (NRI), a historic strategy to close Atlanta’s opportunity gaps by investing in housing, infrastructure, healthy neighborhoods, and economic mobility. Recently, concerns emerged about a proposed self-storage facility on a key site in an NRI neighborhood — land that could potentially support desperately needed housing, fresh food access, neighborhood retail, or community space.

“Atlanta is growing, and we have a responsibility to make sure that growth creates opportunity for the people who call our neighborhoods home,” said Mayor Dickens. “This Executive Order is not about eliminating self-storage facilities—it is about ensuring we are thoughtful about where they belong. In communities where families need housing, grocery stores, jobs and gathering spaces, we cannot afford to lose critical land without asking whether that development advances our vision for a stronger, healthier Atlanta.”

Self-storage facilities can serve an important purpose for residents and businesses, but large facilities can also occupy significant land along important corridors while generating limited jobs, pedestrian activity, and neighborhood-serving amenities. The temporary pause allows the City to evaluate how these developments align with Atlanta’s goals for walkability, housing affordability, economic development, and vibrant communities.

Councilmember Dustin Hillis’ legislation, currently before Atlanta City Council, mirrors the Mayor’s action by establishing a temporary moratorium while the City considers zoning updates requiring additional review for future self-storage projects.

“As Atlanta continues to grow, we have to be intentional about how we use the limited land we have left,” said Councilmember Dustin Hillis. “This legislation gives us time to make sure our zoning policies reflect our priorities — creating complete communities with housing options, access to services, thriving corridors, and opportunities for residents. I appreciate Mayor Dickens’ partnership and swift action to protect neighborhoods while Council completes this important work.”

The proposed zoning changes would create a Special Use Permit process for self-storage developments, giving the City additional tools to evaluate whether proposed projects support neighborhood needs and broader planning goals.

The Executive Order remains in effect until the next Atlanta City Council meeting, where Council will consider the accompanying moratorium legislation.

“Through NRI, we are making a generational commitment to invest in neighborhoods that have been overlooked for too long,” added Mayor Dickens. “That means every decision matters — every street, every parcel, every investment. We must build communities where Atlantans can live, work, shop, play and thrive.”

You can view the Executive Order online here.

You can learn more about the Dickens’ Administration’s NRI efforts at https://atl.direct/nri/