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.
Twiggs County
Neutral Data Center Policies
Twiggs County requires Board review for unlisted uses, potentially causing uncertainty or delay; industrial uses such as warehousing are allowed.
current law · Unincorporated areasRequires data centers, which are not specifically named, to obtain zoning approval under applicable district rules, with unlisted uses referred to county commissioners for classification.Twiggs County Land Development Ordinance (2018)
What this means
The ordinance does not name data centers, and an unlisted use must be reviewed by the county Board, which may need to amend the ordinance to allow it (unclassified uses). That could add some uncertainty and delay, but industrial uses such as warehousing are allowed, so the overall effect is likely minor.
People behind it
- Twiggs County Board of Commissioners
Adopted the ordinance and is responsible for zoning decisions and required public hearings (adopts the Land Development Regulations).
- Zoning Enforcement Officer
Designated as the administrative official responsible for administering and enforcing the ordinance (charged with the authority to administer and enforce this Ordinance).
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements8
Data centers are not expressly listed as a use. Uses not marked permitted or conditional in the applicable district are not allowed unless the Board of Commissioners determines the use is similar to uses allowed there and the ordinance text is amended to authorize it (unlisted uses).
Development must conform to the zoning district’s use rules and obtain a zoning permit. If a data center requires a conditional-use approval, the Board of Commissioners must consider it at a public hearing and may impose conditions; notice must be published at least 15 days before the hearing (conditional uses).
If the property must be rezoned, a map-amendment application and public hearing are required, with notice and a sign posted at least 15 days beforehand. A new application for the same property generally cannot be filed for six months after the Board’s final decision (six-month interval).
A zoning permit for a permitted use expires if construction has not begun within six months. A conditional-use permit has the same deadline, except that it remains in effect while required state or federal permits are actively pursued and through applicable appeals (expire within six months).
District-specific development standards impose minimum lot-area and lot-width requirements, maximum lot coverage, and setbacks; the applicable requirements depend on the property’s zoning district (Lot and Area Requirements).
Commercial or industrial structures next to a residential district or dwelling generally must be set back at least 50 feet, including a 20-foot landscaped or natural buffer. Required landscaped buffers must be maintained by the property owner (minimum setback).
A conditional-use application requires seven copies of a site plan. For industrial or commercial conditional uses, the plan must also show proposed buffers or screens, signage, and outdoor lighting (Additional Site Plan Requirements).
Outdoor lighting must be directed away from residences and the public right-of-way; the Zoning Enforcement Officer or Board of Commissioners may require shielding to reduce glare (Outdoor Lighting).
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
An unlisted data center use may be submitted for an unclassified-use determination. The Board of Commissioners decides whether it is similar in character to uses allowed in the district; if it deems the use appropriate, the Zoning Enforcement Officer amends the ordinance to allow it as a permitted or conditional use.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data