Growth & development
Volusia County Council Adopts Ban on Large-Scale Data Centers in Unincorporated Areas
The ordinance blocks new applications, permits and expansions for data centers drawing 50 megawatts or more outside city limits. Cities keep their own say.
The Volusia County Council on Tuesday, Oct. 20, adopted an ordinance prohibiting large-scale data centers throughout unincorporated Volusia County, according to a county news release.
What the ordinance does
Under the ordinance, the county will not accept or process applications, approvals, rezonings, permits or site plans to establish, build or operate a large-scale data center in the unincorporated area. The ban also covers proposals to expand or intensify existing operations.
The county defines a large-scale data center under state law as a single-location facility with an anticipated monthly peak electrical load of 50 megawatts or more. The county says the ban is meant to protect water resources, preserve infrastructure capacity and address concerns about effects on surrounding communities.
The ban applies only to unincorporated areas. It does not govern land-use decisions inside the county's cities, which keep their own authority over data centers.
How we got here
The council began moving toward a ban in August. At its Aug. 17 meeting, it set aside a 12-month moratorium that staff had first recommended and moved toward a permanent ban instead. The county has not accepted new applications for large-scale data centers in unincorporated areas since that meeting, under the county's "pending ordinance" approach, which freezes new applications while an ordinance is being drafted.
The council advanced the 26-page ordinance unanimously on first reading on Oct. 6. Council Chair Jeff Brower said then that the ban is not opposition to data centers: "It just means not here." District 4 Council Member Troy Kent said he supported it and would vote in favor unless his mind was changed. The ordinance cites concerns raised in August, including water use, possible sinkholes and public safety, as well as studies on data centers' environmental and health effects.
The ordinance relies on Florida Senate Bill 484, which took effect in July and allows local governments to regulate large-scale data centers through land development regulations.
What we don't know yet
The county's news release did not report the council's vote count or an effective date. As described at first reading, the ordinance takes effect once it is filed with the Florida Department of State.
What it means for cities
Cities are not covered. Edgewater and Ormond Beach have each taken up their own data center rules, and other cities can make their own decisions.
The Volusia Voice will report when the ordinance takes effect and will keep following data center rules across the county.
Based on a Volusia County news release and the ordinance as presented at its Oct. 6 first reading. Florida Senate Bill 484 governs local regulation of large-scale data centers.