Data center rules, Phase 1: ending by-right approval
Data centers pay a large share of the county's bills, including money that reaches Loudoun's schools. They also bring large buildings, power lines and construction close to neighborhoods. This vote changed who gets a say before a new one is built: residents now get a public hearing instead of a staff sign-off.
Where it stands
- Board initiates
- Staff review
- Planning Commission
- Public hearing
- Board vote
- Phase 2 underway
Summary
On March 18, 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved a zoning ordinance amendment that made data centers a special exception use in the Industrial Park, General Industry and Mineral Resources–Heavy Industry districts, where they had previously been allowed by right. A matching Comprehensive Plan amendment reclassified data centers as a conditional use rather than a core use.
Before the change, a data center that met the zoning standards could be approved by county staff without a public vote. Now each new application goes through public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Board, which decides case by case.
The Board also passed a separate resolution, 5–4, that let applications already submitted by Feb. 12, 2025 continue under the old rules if they were more than 500 feet from homes and moved forward without major changes. In September 2026 the Board asked staff to study whether those exceptions should end.
Key votes
Supervisors Umstattd and Kershner cast the two votes against the March 18 amendments, as reported by Virginia Business.
What people said
Supporters argued
- Several town mayors and residents spoke at the February hearing in favor, saying case-by-case review lets supervisors weigh each project's effect on nearby communities.
- A public hearing gives residents a formal chance to comment before a large building goes up near them.
Opponents argued
- Industry representatives objected to changing the rules for projects already in the county's pipeline.
Timeline
- Apr 16, 2024Board reviews the data center project plan.
- Feb 12, 2025Public hearing; Board votes 6–2 to advance the amendments.
- Mar 18, 2025Amendments adopted 7–2; grandfathering resolution adopted 5–4.
- Sep 16, 2025Board approves the Phase 2 project plan.
- Sep 2, 2026Board asks staff for legal analysis on ending the grandfathering exceptions.
- Oct 20, 2026Board scheduled to consider a pause on data center and substation votes.
Documents and records
Last reviewed Oct 12, 2026. See the corrections policy to report an error.