Volusia County Begins Process to Ban Large-Scale Data Centers in Unincorporated Areas

Posted On: August 18, 2026

During last night's discussion of a proposed six-month moratorium, or temporary pause, on large-scale data centers, the Volusia County Council directed staff to instead pursue an ordinance that would outright ban the facilities in unincorporated areas.

Staff is now in the process of developing the proposed ordinance, which will first go before the Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission for review at an upcoming meeting. Following that review, the ordinance will require two public hearings before the County Council before it can be officially adopted.

While the proposed ban moves through the review and public hearing process, the County will not accept new applications for large-scale data centers in unincorporated Volusia County. Council's direction to pursue a ban establishes the County's intent to consider prohibiting these facilities, placing applications on hold until the proposed ordinance's outcome is known.

State law defines a large-scale data center as a facility at a single location with an anticipated monthly peak electrical load of 50 megawatts or more. Such large-scale data centers can require substantial amounts of electricity and, depending on their cooling technology, significant quantities of water. They can also operate continuously and require extensive cooling systems, electrical infrastructure, and backup generators. These characteristics can raise considerations involving water resources, noise, infrastructure capacity and compatibility with surrounding land uses.

Any proposed prohibition would apply only within unincorporated Volusia County. Municipal governments retain authority over land use decisions within their respective jurisdictions. Dates for the Planning and Land Development Regulation Commission review and subsequent County Council public hearings will be announced as they are scheduled.