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.
St. Johns 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 St. Johns County.
Specific to St. Johns County only.
pending · County measureWould temporarily prohibit St. Johns County from accepting or approving most applications for medium- and large-scale data center projects while it studies and develops data-center rules.St. Johns County Ordinance No. 2026-__ (2026)
What this means
The proposed moratorium would stop the County from accepting or processing many applications for medium- and large-scale data center projects for up to about a year, making new development or expansion much harder. Existing data centers could continue operating, and routine maintenance and certain already-complete applications are exempt.
Timing
- Ends
- earliest of 2027-10-31, adoption of permanent regulations governing Medium-Scale and Large-Scale Data Centers, or repeal by subsequent ordinance
The proposed ordinance establishes a temporary planning moratorium on medium-scale and large-scale data center projects. The moratorium ends upon the earliest of the stated conditions.
People behind it
- St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners
Directed preparation and considered the temporary planning moratorium ordinance.
- Office of County Attorney
Was directed by the Board to prepare the proposed data center moratorium ordinance.
- Kealey West
Deputy County Attorney who submitted the agenda item and presented the proposed moratorium.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements8
A temporary moratorium prohibits the County from accepting, deeming complete, processing, reviewing, scheduling for public hearing, approving, or issuing discretionary development approvals for medium-scale or large-scale data center projects.
The moratorium covers comprehensive plan amendments, rezonings, planned unit developments, special-use permits, major modifications, site plans, development permits, development orders, building permits requiring prior discretionary approval, and substantially similar discretionary approvals.
A medium-scale data center project is subject to the moratorium if it generally involves 2,000 to 5,000 servers and 5 MW to 49 MW of power capacity, including one or more facilities on contiguous or related property under common ownership or control.
Large-scale data center projects covered by the moratorium include projects developed in phases that collectively qualify as large-scale and campus-style data center developments.
The moratorium does not apply to complete applications determined sufficient before November 1, 2026.
The moratorium does not apply to existing lawful data centers, routine maintenance, repairs or replacement of existing facilities, interior renovations, emergency work, utility maintenance, or facilities that do not qualify as medium-scale or large-scale data center projects.
The moratorium expires on the earliest of October 31, 2027, adoption of permanent regulations governing medium-scale and large-scale data centers, or repeal by a subsequent ordinance.
The ordinance states that the moratorium is effective October 1, 2026, while its separate effective-date section provides that the ordinance becomes effective November 1, 2026.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions4
Complete applications determined sufficient before November 1, 2026, are exempt from the moratorium and may continue through the approval process. (complete applications determined sufficient before November 1, 2026)
Existing lawful data centers are exempt, allowing them to continue operating without being subject to the moratorium. (existing lawful data center)
Routine maintenance, repairs, replacements, interior renovations, emergency work, and utility maintenance for data-center facilities are exempt from the moratorium. (routine maintenance, repair or replacement of existing facilities)
Facilities that do not qualify as medium-scale or large-scale data center projects are outside the moratorium and may continue to pursue applicable approvals. (facilities that do not constitute a Medium-Scale or Large-Scale Data Center Project)
Sources
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