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.
Orange 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 Orange County.
Specific to Orange County only.
pending · County measureRequests Orange County to consider a temporary, at least one-year pause on new data center applications while it studies their impacts and possible regulations.Commissioner’s Report — AI Data Center Moratorium on All Prospective Applications
What this means
The proposed moratorium would pause new data center applications in Orange County while staff studies their impacts and develops rules. It would not stop existing data centers from operating, but it could delay new projects for at least a year.
Timing
- Ends
- at minimum, one year in length
The memorandum proposes a temporary moratorium on prospective data center applications, but does not specify an adoption date or exact expiration date. It requests that staff draft the ordinance.
People behind it
- Dr. Kelly Martinez Semrad
Orange County District 5 Commissioner who authored and formally requested the discussion item and proposed a temporary moratorium on AI data center applications.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
A proposed temporary moratorium of at least one year on prospective data center applications located in Orange County, while staff studies potential policies, development standards, utility requirements, and environmental protections.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
Data centers are currently implicitly allowed under Orange County’s industrial zoning districts because the Land Development Code does not expressly regulate them as a distinct use.
The proposed temporary moratorium would apply only to prospective data center applications in Orange County, so existing lawful data centers, uses, and entitlements would not be subject to the moratorium.
Sources
pending · County measureRequests Orange County to consider a one-year pause on new AI data-center applications while studying their impacts and possible regulations; no moratorium was adopted.Orange County Government File 26-1106 — Temporary Moratorium on AI Data Center Applications
What this means
If enacted as described, the proposed moratorium would pause prospective data center applications for at least one year, making new construction and expansion substantially harder or slower. It would not directly stop existing data centers from operating, and the sources describe a request to consider and draft a moratorium—not an adopted ban.
Timing
- Ends
- At minimum, one year in length
The sources describe a proposed temporary moratorium on prospective data-center applications, but the item was tabled with no Board action. No specific expiration date or stated extension condition is provided.
People behind it
- Dr. Kelly Martinez Semrad
Orange County District 5 Commissioner who requested the discussion item and proposed directing staff to develop a temporary moratorium on AI data center applications.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
A proposed temporary moratorium of at least one year on prospective data center applications in Orange County; it was requested for development through a future ordinance and was not adopted because the Board took no action and tabled the item.
Sources
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