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Regbase

The Data Center Divide

Prince George's County

This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.

Mixed Data Center Policies

Prince George’s County’s enacted rules ease zoning approvals but pause some permit applications; descriptions conflict on enactment, and existing operations aren’t said to be barred.

Incentives

Tax benefits

Establishes a partial or complete county personal-property tax exemption for eligible qualified data centers.

Prince George’s County CB-055-2020

current law · County measure
Exempts qualifying data centers from county taxes on personal property, with the tax break’s amount and duration tied to investment and job creation and subject to county review.Prince George’s County CB-055-2020

What this means

If enacted, the measure would reduce or change an existing data-center tax break and tie some tax relief to local hiring and supplier-diversity conditions. That could raise costs and add paperwork, though the sources do not say how much the tax break would change.

People behind it

  • Requested and is listed as a proposer and sponsor of the measure; responsible for notifying the County Council about implementation of its tax reductions.

  • Proposed and presented the bill as Council Chair and is listed as a proposer and sponsor; the bill was presented by request of the County Executive.

  • Listed as a proposer and sponsor and among the Council Members who introduced the bill.

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  • Listed as a proposer and sponsor and among the Council Members who introduced the bill.

  • Listed as a proposer and sponsor and among the Council Members who introduced the bill.

  • Listed as a proposer and sponsor and among the Council Members who introduced the bill.

  • Listed as a proposer and sponsor and among the Council Members who introduced the bill.

  • Listed as a proposer and sponsor and among the Council Members who introduced the bill.

  • Listed as a proposer and sponsor and among the Council Members who introduced the bill.

  • Listed as a proposer and sponsor and among the Council Members who introduced the bill.

  • Listed as a proposer and sponsor and among the Council Members who introduced the bill.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements5

  • Reduces and restructures the personal-property tax exemption for qualified data centers, potentially increasing their tax costs. Reducing and restructuring the personal property tax exemption

  • Makes a specified assessment reduction conditional on meeting supplier-diversity, County-based small-business, and County-resident employment requirements. Requiring compliance with certain supplier diversity, County-based small business, and County resident employment conditions

  • Requires an annual certification; the provided document does not specify its contents or filing requirements. Requiring a certain annual certification

  • Provides that the assessment reduction does not apply in certain circumstances, which the provided document does not identify. Shall not apply under certain circumstances

  • Provides for penalties, but the provided document does not state their amounts or triggers. Providing for certain penalties

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions3

  • Projects investing at least $200 million and creating at least 15 jobs may qualify for a personal-property-tax assessment reduction lasting 15 years: up to 100% in years 1–5, 50% in years 6–10, and 25% in years 11–15. The County must find that the project meets the requirements, has an overall net positive impact on County tax revenues and the economy, and is in the public interest. Projects with $200 million or more of investment

  • Projects investing at least $50 million and creating at least five jobs may qualify for a personal-property-tax assessment reduction lasting 10 years: up to 90% in years 1–5 and 40% in years 6–10. The same County evaluation requirements apply. Projects with $50 million or more of investment

  • Provides a personal-property-tax exemption for property of a Qualified Data Center, with the exemption amount subject to conditions. A later measure reduces and restructures the exemption; a specified assessment reduction depends on supplier-diversity, County-based small-business, and County-resident employment requirements, plus annual certification. Personal-property tax exemption on the personal property of a Qualified Data Center Personal-property tax exemptions under certain conditions

Sources

current law · County measure
Allows qualified data centers in specified county zones, but bars them from most designated transit centers and requires site plans and standards for design, lighting, screening, parking, and noise.Prince George’s County CB-001-2021

What this means

The measure makes data centers a permitted use in several zoning categories and exempts them from conceptual and detailed site-plan approval, which can make development easier (permitting the use in multiple zones). It still requires a site plan with a building-permit application and imposes design, lighting, screening, and noise-study requirements, while barring the use in most designated transit districts (Qualified Data Centers shall comply with the following standards). Overall, it creates a meaningful path for data-center development but includes conditions, so the net effect is moderately favorable.

People behind it

  • Listed sponsor and proposer of CB-001-2021; participated in introducing and enacting the measure.

  • Listed sponsor and proposer of CB-001-2021.

  • Listed sponsor and proposer of CB-001-2021.

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  • Listed sponsor and proposer of CB-001-2021.

  • Listed sponsor and proposer of CB-001-2021.

  • Listed sponsor and proposer of CB-001-2021.

  • Listed sponsor and proposer of CB-001-2021.

  • Listed sponsor and proposer of CB-001-2021.

  • Listed sponsor and proposer of CB-001-2021.

  • Listed sponsor and proposer of CB-001-2021.

  • Listed sponsor and proposer of CB-001-2021.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements12

  • The use is limited to the specified R-R, C-O, C-S-C, M-A-C, R-S, E-I-A, M-X-T, and Industrial Zones, and is subject to the ordinance’s stated circumstances. permitting the use in the R-R, C-O, C-S-C, M-A-C, R-S, E-I-A, M-X-T, and Industrial Zones

  • A site plan must accompany every building-permit application for a qualified data center. include a site plan with any building permit application

  • Qualified data centers are prohibited in designated Regional Transit Districts, Local Transit Centers, Neighborhood Centers, and Campus Centers, except that they may be permitted in the Bowie MARC Campus Center. shall not be permitted in designated Regional Transit Districts

  • Principal building façades facing public rights-of-way or existing residential development must cohesively incorporate at least two specified design elements, such as height changes, step-backs, fenestration, or material and color changes. include at least two (2) of the following design elements

  • All exterior lighting must use cutoff and fully shielded fixtures that direct light downward and into the property, away from adjacent roads and properties. cutoff and fully shielded fixtures

  • In the M-X-T Zone, the usual rules for net lot area, lot coverage, green area, frontage, yards, height, intensity, and similar requirements do not apply; instead, minimum green area, setbacks, and height must meet I-1 Zone requirements, with any alternative regulations proposed on the site plan subject to DPIE and M-NCPPC review and DPIE approval. minimum green area, yards (setbacks) and building height shall be as required in the I-1 Zone

  • Security fencing must be screened from residential properties and public rights-of-way by at least 40 feet of vegetation and cannot exceed 10 feet in height. minimum depth of 40 feet of vegetation

  • The Landscape Manual applies to qualified data centers. The requirements of the Landscape Manual shall apply

  • Minimum off-street parking and loading spaces are imposed using the requirements for warehouse-related uses under Sections 27-568 and 27-582. minimum number of required off-street parking spaces

  • Signage must comply with the rules applicable to uses in the I-1 Zone. same as those applicable to uses in the I-1 Zone

  • Driveways for ingress and egress must be shown on the site plan and located to avoid endangering pedestrians or creating traffic hazards. shall be identified on the site plan

  • The applicant must submit an acoustical study by a professional acoustical engineer demonstrating compliance with the maximum allowable noise levels under Subtitle 19. submit an acoustical study prepared by a professional acoustical engineer

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions7

  • Qualified Data Centers are permitted by right, subject to specified criteria, in the R-R, C-O, C-S-C, M-A-C, R-S, E-I-A, M-X-T, and Industrial Zones. The bill permits the use in these zones

  • A data center must include a site plan with its building-permit application, allowing the site-plan submission to accompany permitting rather than requiring a separate submission process. A Qualified Data Center shall include a site plan with any building permit application

  • Qualified Data Centers are exempt from Conceptual Site Plan and Detailed Site Plan approval. Qualified Data Centers shall be exempt from Conceptual Site Plan or Detailed Site Plan Approval

  • In the M-X-T Zone, ordinary regulations for net lot area, lot coverage, green area, lot width or frontage, yards, building height, intensity, accessory buildings, and similar requirements do not apply; instead, minimum green area, setbacks, and building height generally follow I-1 Zone requirements. An applicant may also propose these regulations on the site plan for review by DPIE and M-NCPPC staff and approval by DPIE. M-X-T regulations shall not apply

  • The minimum required off-street parking is tied to the requirements for a warehouse unit, and required loading spaces are tied to the requirements for a wholesale or warehouse unit, rather than a separate data-center standard. The minimum number of required off-street parking spaces shall be equal to the minimum number

  • Signage requirements for Qualified Data Centers are the same as those applicable to uses in the I-1 Zone. Regulations pertaining to signage shall be the same as those applicable to uses in the I-1 Zone

  • A Qualified Data Center may be located in the Bowie MARC Campus Center even though data centers are otherwise prohibited in designated Regional Transit Districts, Local Transit Centers, Neighborhood Centers, and Campus Centers. Qualified Data Centers may be permitted in the Bowie MARC Campus Center

Sources

current law · County measure
Creates a county task force to study data centers’ risks, benefits, and revenue potential and recommend where and how they should be sited.Prince George’s County CR-016-2025

What this means

The resolution would create a task force to study data centers and recommend possible siting policies, with a report due by November 30, 2025 (study and recommend siting policies). It does not itself restrict, delay, or financially encourage building, expanding, or operating data centers, so its direct practical effect is not meaningful.

People behind it

  • Proposed CR-016-2025 and served as Chair of the County Council.

  • Introduced and co-sponsored CR-016-2025.

  • Introduced and co-sponsored CR-016-2025.

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  • Introduced and co-sponsored CR-016-2025.

  • Provides staffing for the Qualified Data Center Task Force and is responsible for submitting its research, policy, and regulatory recommendations report.

Sources

Specific to Prince George's County only.

current law · County measure
Pauses for two years the county’s acceptance, review, and approval of plans and building or grading permits for proposed data centers.Prince George’s County CR-066-2026

What this means

If enacted, the measure would pause applications for covered data center projects for two years, making it much harder to build or expand them during that time. It does not appear to stop existing data centers from operating.

Timing

Ends
two (2) years after adoption

The measure establishes a two-year moratorium on the acceptance, processing, review, and approval of applications for preliminary plans of subdivision and detailed site plans that include qualified data center uses, and pauses building and grading permits for proposed data centers. No extension conditions are stated.

People behind it

  • Proposer and sponsor of CR-066-2026 and multiple resolutions.

  • Proposer and/or sponsor of multiple resolutions.

  • Proposer and/or sponsor of multiple resolutions.

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  • Proposer and sponsor of CR-066-2026 and multiple resolutions.

  • Proposer and/or sponsor of multiple resolutions.

  • Proposer and/or sponsor of multiple resolutions.

  • Proposer and/or sponsor of multiple resolutions.

  • Proposer and/or sponsor of multiple resolutions.

  • Sponsor of multiple resolutions.

  • Sponsor of multiple resolutions.

  • Sponsor of multiple resolutions.

  • Proposer of multiple resolutions.

  • Proposer of multiple resolutions concerning sector plans and related planning matters.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2

  • A two-year moratorium on data centers prohibits accepting, processing, reviewing, or approving preliminary subdivision plans and detailed site plans that include qualified data center uses.

  • For two years, the measure pauses acceptance, review, and approval of building and grading permits for proposed data centers.

Sources

current law · County measure
Places a temporary hold on accepting, considering, and processing permit applications for qualified data centers, in support of recommendations forthcoming from the Qualified Data Centers Task Force.Prince George's County Executive Order 2026-17 (2026)

What this means

The order would temporarily pause accepting, reviewing, and processing permit applications for qualified data centers, creating a major barrier to new construction and expansion (temporary hold on permit applications). The source does not state how long the pause would last, and it does not indicate that existing data centers must stop operating.

Timing

The order’s title describes a temporary hold on accepting, considering, and processing permit applications for qualified data centers, but the provided source text does not state when or under what condition the hold ends.

People behind it

  • Issued the executive order directing a temporary hold on accepting, considering, and processing data center-related matters.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Temporarily bars the County from accepting, considering, or processing permit applications for qualified data centers while Task Force recommendations are forthcoming (temporary hold on permit applications).

Sources

expired · County measure
Extends the temporary pause on County review of Qualified Data Center permit applications from December 31, 2025, through April 30, 2026, directing permitting staff to stop accepting, considering, processing, or reviewing them effective January 23, 2026.Prince George's County Executive Order 2026-01 (2026)

What this means

The order would temporarily stop the county from accepting, reviewing, or processing permits for qualified data centers until April 30, 2026 (“temporarily discontinue accepting, considering, processing, or reviewing”). That could substantially delay new projects and expansions, though it is a temporary permitting pause—not a permanent ban on building or operating data centers.

Timing

Ends
Apr 30, 2026

The temporary hold shall terminate on April 30, 2026, unless changed by further Executive Order.

People behind it

  • County Executive who issued the order extending the temporary hold through April 30, 2026. The order was issued by Aisha N. Braveboy.

  • Department whose staff were directed to stop accepting, considering, processing, or reviewing permit applications for Qualified Data Centers. Department staff are directed to temporarily discontinue accepting applications.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • A temporary hold bars the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement from accepting, considering, processing, or reviewing permit applications for Qualified Data Centers, as determined by County staff. It took effect immediately on January 23, 2026, and ends April 30, 2026, unless changed by a further Executive Order. The department is directed to temporarily discontinue accepting, considering, processing, or reviewing applications

Sources

expired · County measure
Executive Order 2026-15 is titled as extending a temporary hold on accepting, considering, and processing permit applications for qualified data centers while the County awaits recommendations from its Qualified Data Centers Task Force (the order’s title).Prince George's County Executive Order 2026-15 (2026)

What this means

The order would continue a hold on accepting, reviewing, and processing permits for qualified data centers, making it much harder to build or expand them while the Council considers new rules (temporary hold on permit applications). It is not an outright ban and does not say existing centers must stop operating, but the order gives no end date for the hold.

Timing

The order establishes a temporary hold on accepting, considering, and processing qualified data center permit applications, but the provided text does not state when the hold ends.

People behind it

  • Issued Executive Order No. 15-2026, extending the temporary hold on permit applications for qualified data centers.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Extends a temporary hold on accepting, considering, and processing permit applications for qualified data centers; the provided text does not specify an end date. Temporary hold on accepting, considering and processing permit applications

Sources

expired · County measure
Supports forthcoming recommendations from the Qualified Data Centers Task Force and imposes a temporary hold on permit applications.Prince George's County Executive Order 2026-10 (2026)

What this means

The order imposes a temporary hold on permit applications for data centers, which could significantly delay new projects and expansions. It targets permitting rather than banning existing data center operations outright. temporary hold on permit applications

Timing

The source describes a temporary hold on permit applications, but the provided source text does not specify when or under what condition it ends.

People behind it

  • Issued the executive order imposing a temporary hold on permit applications.

  • Responsible for administering the temporary permit-application hold.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Imposes a temporary hold on permit applications for qualified data centers. “A Temporary Hold on Permit Applications”

Sources

Specific to Prince George's County only.

pending · County measure
Would require qualified data center projects to undergo detailed site plan review, including opportunities for public input.Prince George’s County LDR-16-2026

What this means

The measure would remove qualified data centers’ exemption from detailed site plan review, adding a required review step. That would also bring neighborhood meetings and public hearings, which could add time and effort to projects; the bill does not ban data centers. Repealing the exemption from detailed site plan review; public input through neighborhood meetings and a Planning Board hearing.

People behind it

  • Listed as a proposer and sponsor of CB-019-2026.

  • Listed as a proposer and sponsor of CB-019-2026.

  • Listed as a proposer and sponsor of CB-019-2026.

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  • Listed as a proposer and sponsor of CB-019-2026.

  • Introduced CB-019-2026.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements5

  • Qualified data center applications would no longer be exempt from detailed site plan review: the bill repeals the exemption.

  • Applicants would have to hold pre-application neighborhood meetings: data center applications will be subject to more public input by way of required pre-application neighborhood meetings.

  • Applications would require a public hearing before the Planning Board: a public hearing before the Planning Board.

  • A District Council public hearing could also be required, at the Council’s election or following an appeal by the applicant or an aggrieved person: may be subject to a public hearing before the District Council.

  • In certain circumstances, the bill would bar use of the prior ordinance for qualified data center applications, establishing a single review process under the Zoning Ordinance: prohibiting the authority in the Zoning Ordinance to utilize the prior Ordinance.

Sources

pending · County measure: Certain Rural Agricultural and Residential Base Zones
Proposes allowing qualified data centers in certain rural and residential zones with added development requirements, while ending some exemptions from detailed site-plan review.Prince George’s County CB-085-2026

What this means

If enacted, the bill would allow qualified data centers in some rural and residential zones, opening locations that may otherwise be unavailable (permit qualified data centers in certain ... zones). But it would also add development requirements and require detailed site plan review in some cases, so the net benefit appears modest.

People behind it

  • Council Member and explicitly identified proposer/requestor of the measure

  • Legislative Attorney assigned to the measure and listed as the contact

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3

  • Permits qualified data centers in only certain Rural Agricultural and Residential Base Zones, rather than allowing them generally throughout those zones.

  • Subjects qualified data centers in the permitted zones to additional development requirements.

  • Repeals the exemption from detailed site plan review for qualified data centers under certain circumstances, adding that review requirement in those circumstances.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • Permits qualified data centers in certain Rural Agricultural and Residential Base Zones, subject to additional development requirements. Measure title

Sources

Specific to Prince George's County only.

failed · County measure
Would have exempted qualified data centers from preliminary subdivision plans while retaining neighborhood-meeting and public-facilities review requirements; the bill failed.Prince George’s County CB-052-2024

What this means

If enacted, the bill would make data center development easier by removing the requirement for a preliminary subdivision plan. It would still require a neighborhood meeting, a final plat, and approval showing public facilities are adequate, so it would streamline review rather than remove it; the bill is listed as failed. Preliminary-plan exemption and remaining requirements

People behind it

  • Explicitly identified as the sponsor and proposer of CB-052-2024.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements4

  • A data-center subdivision must still obtain approval of a final plat of minor subdivision, even though the project is exempt from the preliminary plan of subdivision requirement.

  • Before applying for the final subdivision plat, the applicant must conduct a pre-application neighborhood meeting under Section 24-3303.

  • The applicant must obtain an approved certificate of adequacy under Section 24-4500, requiring review of public facilities such as traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian impacts.

  • The exemption applies only when the land is proposed to be used primarily for developing a qualified data center; projects where the data center is merely one component among other uses may not qualify for the exemption.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • Exempts a subdivision of land whose primary purpose is developing a qualified data center from obtaining approval of a major or minor preliminary plan of subdivision, streamlining the subdivision approval process. The exemption does not eliminate the need for a final subdivision plat, a pre-application neighborhood meeting, or a certificate of adequacy under the applicable regulations.

Sources

expired · County measure
Lists Executive Order 2025-42 as “Qualified Data Centers Task Force,” but the available text does not describe the task force’s purpose, membership, duties, deadlines, or implementation status.Prince George's County Executive Order 2025-42 (2025)

What this means

EO 42-2025 creates a task force to consider qualified data centers, but the source does not show it directly changing permits, construction, or operations. The County’s later temporary permit holds are separate executive orders, not requirements created by this measure (Qualified Data Centers Task Force).

People behind it

  • Issued Executive Order 42-2025 establishing the Qualified Data Centers Task Force

Sources

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