Posted On: October 6, 2026

The Volusia County Council on Tuesday, Oct. 6, held the first of two required public hearings on a proposed ordinance to prohibit large-scale data centers in unincorporated Volusia County, continuing a process that began in August to address community concerns about water resources, infrastructure, energy demand, and compatibility with surrounding communities.

This is the latest step in a process that began Aug. 17, when Council members directed staff to develop regulations addressing large-scale data centers, which State law defines as a facility at a single location with an anticipated monthly peak electrical load of 50 megawatts or more.

The ordinance is scheduled to go before the Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission on Thursday, Oct. 15, then return to the County Council for the second and final public hearing Tuesday, Oct. 20. If adopted after the final hearing, the ordinance would take effect upon filing with the Florida Department of State.

The County has not accepted new applications for large-scale data centers in unincorporated Volusia County since Aug. 17, when the Council directed staff to pursue a prohibition. That hold will remain in place until the Council takes final action on the proposed ordinance.

If ultimately adopted, the ordinance would make large-scale data centers a prohibited use throughout unincorporated Volusia County. The County would not accept or process applications, development approvals, comprehensive plan amendments, rezonings, permits, site plans, or other County approvals associated with establishing, constructing, expanding, or operating a large-scale data center.

The prohibition would apply only within unincorporated Volusia County and would not govern land-use decisions within municipalities.