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.
Harford County
Strongly Anti-Data Center Policies
Harford County prohibits data centers in all zoning districts, preventing new construction or expansion; the description does not explain how existing facilities are treated.
current law · County measureProhibits data centers in every Harford County zoning district.Maryland Bill 26-011 (2026)
What this means
The measure says data centers are prohibited in all zoning districts, making it an outright ban on building or expanding them. The sources do not explain how existing facilities would be treated.
People behind it
- Patrick Vincenti
County Council president who introduced Bill 26-011 at the request of the County Executive.
- Bob Cassilly
County Executive who proposed the legislation and requested its introduction.
- Council Administrator
Administered the bill’s procedural matters, including certification and public distribution.
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- County Council of Harford County
Legislative body that considered and enacted the measure.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Data centers are prohibited in all zoning districts.%20A%20data%20center%20is%20defined%20as%20a%20building%20or%20group%20of%20buildings%20whose%20substantial%20portion%20houses%20computer%20systems%2C%20storage%20equipment%2C%20networking%20systems%2C%20and%20associated%20infrastructure%20used%20to%20organize%2C%20process%2C%20store%2C%20or%20disseminate%20large%20amounts%20of%20data).
Sources
Specific to Harford County only.
failed · County measureWould have paused approvals and permits for data centers for 90 days, with a possible 90-day extension, but Harford County withdrew the bill before it became law.Maryland Bill 26-005 (2026)
What this means
The bill would pause approval of data-center site plans and issuance of building permits and occupancy certificates for 90 days, with a possible extension of up to another 90 days. That would substantially delay new projects, but it would not ban data centers permanently or directly stop existing centers from operating.
Timing
- Ends
- 90 days from the date this Act becomes law
The bill allows the County Council to shorten the moratorium or extend it by further legislation for up to an additional 90 days. The Council later withdrew Bill 26-005, so the proposed moratorium was not enacted.
People behind it
- Jacob Bennett
Introduced Bill 26-005 and introduced amendments to Bill 26-011.
- Patrick Vincenti
Introduced Bill 26-011.
- County Executive
Requested Bill 26-011.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
Bill 26-005 proposed a moratorium on approving data-center site plans and issuing building permits or certificates of occupancy for 90 days after the Act became law. The Council could shorten it or extend it by up to another 90 days through further legislation. The Council later withdrew the bill. The proposed moratorium and time limit The Council withdrew Bill 26-005
Bill 26-011 would prohibit data centers in every zoning district. It defines a data center as a building or group of buildings substantially used to house computer systems, storage equipment, networking systems, and associated infrastructure for handling large amounts of data. An approved amendment would make the bill effective on the day it becomes law, rather than after the introduced version’s 60-day wait. The prohibition and definition The amendment providing same-day effectiveness
Sources
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