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The Data Center Divide

Escambia County

Strongly Anti-Data Center Policies

Escambia County prohibits large data centers in unincorporated areas and has an enacted 12-month pause on applications for 10-to-under-50-megawatt facilities, though descriptions conflict about that pause’s status.

current law · Unincorporated areas
Imposes a 12-month pause on county approvals and permits for data centers in unincorporated Escambia County with peak loads of 10 to under 50 megawatts.Escambia County Resolution No. 2026-71 (2026)

What this means

If enacted, this would pause county applications and approvals for 12 months for data centers with peak loads from 10 to under 50 megawatts, creating a substantial delay (12-month moratorium). It would not make smaller facilities permissible, and the ordinance says it does not authorize uses otherwise barred by county rules (shall not be construed to authorize any data center facility).

People behind it

  • County Attorney; advises Board on principal and accessory uses.

  • Commissioner supporting opposition to data centers.

  • Commissioner discussing the resolution as essentially a ban.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2

  • Memorializes the interpretation that data center facilities are not identified as a permitted or conditional principal use in any zoning district.

  • States the Board's position that facilities are not an appropriate form of development within unincorporated Escambia County.

Sources

current law · Unincorporated area
Creates the county's permanent large-scale data-center prohibition; the later proposed 12-month smaller-center moratorium is a separate measure.Escambia County Ordinance No. 2026-30 (2026)

What this means

The enacted ordinance prohibits large-scale data centers in unincorporated Escambia County. The separate proposed smaller-center moratorium is not counted as an enacted provision of this ban.

People behind it

  • Proposed and enacted the ordinances banning large-scale data centers and establishing a moratorium on certain data center facilities in the unincorporated area.

  • Board Chair authorized to sign the ordinances on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners.

  • Responsible during the moratorium for studying and evaluating data centers’ potential impacts and any appropriate regulatory amendments.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Code section 42-423 bans large-scale data centers within unincorporated Escambia County, using the definitions incorporated from Florida Statutes section 373.203.

Sources

Specific to Escambia County only.

unverified · County measure
A separate September 2, 2026 legally reviewed draft would add Code section 42-424 and impose a 12-month moratorium on County approvals for new data centers with anticipated monthly peak load of at least 10 MW but less than 50 MW in unincorporated Escambia County.Escambia County proposed 12-month moratorium for 10-to-under-50 MW data centers (2026)

What this means

If adopted, the proposed 12-month application and approval pause would significantly delay covered facilities from 10 to under 50 MW. Adoption is unverified, so this score describes proposed effect rather than a confirmed operative restriction.

Timing

Proposed duration is 12 months after effectiveness on filing, if adopted. No adopted ordinance number, filing date, operative start or calendar expiration was verified.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2

  • If adopted, the County would not accept, process, approve or issue covered applications, development orders, permits or other authorizations for establishing or constructing data centers with anticipated monthly peak load from 10 to under 50 MW during the 12-month period.

  • The proposal does not authorize data centers below 10 MW or any use not otherwise authorized under the County Land Development Code.

Sources

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