Volusia County Council Takes Final Step to Prohibit Large-Scale Data Centers in Unincorporated Areas

Posted On: October 21, 2026

The Volusia County Council on Tuesday, Oct. 20, adopted an ordinance prohibiting large-scale data centers throughout unincorporated Volusia County, taking final action on an initiative aimed at protecting water resources, preserving infrastructure capacity, and addressing concerns about these facilities' potential effects on surrounding communities.

As a result, the County will not accept or process applications, development approvals, comprehensive plan amendments, rezonings, building permits, site plans, or other County approvals associated with establishing, constructing, or operating a large-scale data center. The prohibition also applies to proposals to expand or intensify such operations.

State law defines these facilities as data centers at a single location with an anticipated monthly peak electrical load of 50 megawatts or more. The prohibition applies only to unincorporated areas and does not govern land-use decisions within municipalities.