The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Martin County
Mixed Data Center Policies
Florida’s rules require large data centers to cover their utility-service costs, and water permits may involve added planning and hearings that delay projects; utility service can be denied to some facilities. Qualifying large centers can receive sales-tax breaks, while separate access controls apply to the state’s own data center.
Rating and summary from Florida statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Martin County.
Specific to Martin County only.
pending · Unincorporated areasWould temporarily pause applications for large-scale data centers in unincorporated Martin County while the county reviews how to regulate them.Martin County Large-Scale Data Center Moratorium Ordinance (File 26-1141)
What this means
The proposal would pause new applications for large-scale data centers in unincorporated Martin County while the County studies new rules, making building or expanding one substantially harder; the source does not state how long the pause would last (“suspends the submission and acceptance of applications”). Applications already deemed complete before the ordinance takes effect could continue under existing rules.
Timing
The proposed ordinance establishes a moratorium on submitting and accepting applications related to large-scale data centers, but the provided source does not specify an expiration date or ending condition.
People behind it
- Board of County Commissioners
Requested the ordinance and directed the County Attorney to bring it forward; the Board is responsible for considering and adopting the measure.
- Elysse A. Elder
County Attorney who prepared the proposed ordinance.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
Establishes a temporary planning period and moratorium in unincorporated Martin County that suspends the submission and acceptance of applications related to large-scale data centers.
The moratorium applies to new applications submitted on or after the ordinance’s effective date; applications deemed complete before that date may continue under the regulations in effect when the County determined them sufficient.
Applies to large-scale data centers, defined as a single location with an anticipated monthly peak electric load of at least 50 megawatts, including qualifying colocated customers or entities but excluding loads aggregated across multiple locations.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Applications related to large-scale data centers that the County deemed complete before the ordinance’s effective date may continue to be processed under the regulations in effect when the sufficiency determination was made.
Sources
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