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.
Charles County
Neutral Data Center Policies
Maryland requires large data centers to undergo review, public reporting, and project commitments; projects not deemed aligned may lose coordinated review and discretionary state support. Separate state coordination efforts encourage partnerships but add no data-center-specific building or operating requirements; the review order does not change local zoning.
Rating and summary from Maryland statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Charles County.
Specific to Charles County only.
failed · County measure: General Industrial (IG) and Heavy Industrial (IH) zonesTerminated the proposal to allow data centers in industrial zones, leaving Charles County’s current rules unchanged and data centers unpermitted.Charles County, Maryland ZTA 25-187 (2025-2026)
What this means
The proposal would allow data centers in the county’s industrial zones, where they are currently not permitted, opening a path to build them (current zoning does not allow data centers). But the limited zones and requirements such as using non-potable water for cooling and paying for public infrastructure would constrain projects and add costs (revised proposal conditions).
People behind it
- Charles County Commissioners
Authorized staff to begin the public process for ZTA 25-187 and acted on its introduction and referral.
- Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management
County department responsible for developing and administering the zoning text amendment process.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements8
Limits data centers to the General Industrial (IG) and Heavy Industrial (IH) Zones, excluding Business Park and Low-Density Residential Zones.
Requires a 500-foot setback to protect nearby residential uses.
Requires non-potable water for data-center cooling and humidification; potable water may not be used for those purposes.
Requires public engagement for data-center proposals in all permitted zones.
Requires the developer or owner to pay for all public infrastructure improvements associated with the project.
Requires data centers to pay for their own energy infrastructure.
Subjects data centers to different utility rates and state oversight.
Requires data-center operators to track and report their water and energy use.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions3
Defines “Data Center” as a recognized land use and permits it, subject to conditions, in the General Industrial (IG) and Heavy Industrial (IH) Zones, allowing facilities to be legally developed in those zones. permit Data Centers in the General Industrial and Heavy Industrial Zones
Allows data centers as a permitted use rather than requiring special-exception approval in the eligible industrial zones, which provides a more direct zoning path to development. Data Center, General Industrial (IG) and Heavy Industrial (IH), Zones
Provides incentives for data centers to generate clean energy on site, potentially reducing the cost or difficulty of securing operating power. Provides incentives for on-site clean energy generation
Sources
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