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.
Pasco County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Mixed Data Center Policies
Pasco County has enacted a temporary pause of up to 12 months on data-center permit applications in unincorporated areas, exempting ordinary building server rooms.
Rating from Florida statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Pasco County.
Specific to Pasco County only.
current law · Unincorporated areasTemporarily bars applications for data center development in unincorporated Pasco County for up to 12 months, except for incidental server and computer rooms.Pasco County temporary data-center moratorium ordinance
What this means
The measure would pause applications for building permits and other approvals for data centers in unincorporated Pasco County for up to 12 months, making new construction or expansion substantially harder during that period. It is not a permanent ban, and it exempts ordinary server rooms inside buildings.
Timing
- Ends
- 12 months after adoption, or when repealed by the Board, whichever occurs first
The moratorium may be extended by Board resolution as permitted by law and may not exceed 12 months unless approved by a majority vote of the Board.
People behind it
- Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida
Proposed, enacted, and adopted the ordinance establishing the temporary moratorium.
- Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Esq.
Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller responsible for filing the ordinance with the Florida Department of State.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
For up to 12 months, the County prohibits the submission and acceptance of applications related to data center facilities in unincorporated Pasco County, including building permits, site plans, development orders, development agreements, special or conditional uses, rezonings, and comprehensive plan amendments.
The moratorium may continue beyond its initial period only if extended by Board resolution as permitted by law; it may not exceed 12 months unless approved by a majority vote of the Board of County Commissioners.
An existing development agreement may be amended, or a new one adopted, to allow a data center that is not a large load customer only after a Board determination of public necessity and only with conditions addressing matters such as location, size, light, glare, height, water use, electrical power consumption, noise, and compatibility.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
Server rooms and computer rooms used for IT or related network equipment are exempt from the moratorium when they are inside a building and incidental to the building’s primary use or the site’s primary use.
After the Board determines that it is publicly necessary, an existing development agreement may be amended or a new agreement adopted to allow construction of a data center that is not a large load customer. The agreement must impose conditions addressing matters such as location, size, lighting and glare, height, water use, electrical consumption, noise, and compatibility.
Sources
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