12-Month Data Center Moratorium Approved By Manatee Commissioners

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Commissioners approved a 12-month moratorium on new data center development applications in unincorporated Manatee County while officials study how the facilities should be regulated, a county news release said.

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners approved Ordinance 26-42 on the matter on Thursday, following its second and final public hearing.

The temporary pause applies to new applications for building permits, site plans, development orders, rezonings, and other development approvals related to data centers and similar large-load facilities, the news release said.

County officials said the moratorium will give staff time to evaluate potential regulations addressing the facilities' electricity and water demands, noise, location, setbacks and impacts on neighboring properties.

Also Read: $100M Approved For Manatee Infrastructure Projects After 2024 Hurricanes

“This gives us the opportunity to make sure we have the right rules in place if these facilities come through our development process,” District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard said in a statement.

Manatee County's existing Land Development Code doesn’t specifically define data centers or large-scale data centers as land uses, county officials said.

The moratorium doesn’t permanently prohibit data centers. Instead, it temporarily pauses new applications while county staff develop recommendations for possible changes to local planning and development regulations.

The action follows a state law that took effect July 1 recognizing the planning and infrastructure considerations associated with data centers and other large-load customers.

The moratorium will remain in effect for 12 months or until commissioners repeal it, whichever comes first, the news release said. The board may extend it as permitted by law if additional time is needed.