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.
Wicomico County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Neutral Data Center Policies
Wicomico County has enacted a temporary pause on accepting or processing key applications for new data centers, ending after one year or when county legislation takes effect, whichever comes first. Existing centers may continue operating.
Rating from Maryland statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Wicomico County.
Specific to Wicomico County only.
current law · County measureTemporarily bars Wicomico County from accepting or processing certain development and zoning applications for data centers until county regulations take effect or one year passes, whichever comes first.Wicomico County Resolution No. 125-2026 — Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers
What this means
The measure would temporarily stop the County from accepting or processing key applications for new data centers, making development substantially harder during the pause. It would end after one year or when County legislation takes effect, whichever comes first, and does not ban existing centers from operating (temporary pause).
Timing
- Ends
- the earlier of one (1) year after adoption of the resolution or the effective date of comprehensive County legislation addressing the placement, construction, and operation of data center uses
The County Council reserves the right to extend or modify the temporary moratorium for additional periods on terms it deems necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare.
People behind it
- The President of the Council
Identified as the introducer of Resolution No. 125-2026 establishing the temporary data-center moratorium.
- Wicomico County Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development
Responsible for administering the moratorium by not accepting, processing, reviewing, or approving specified data-center-related applications during the pause.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
The resolution imposes an immediate temporary moratorium on accepting, processing, reviewing, or approving preliminary subdivision plans and detailed site plans that include a data center. The moratorium lasts until the earlier of one year after adoption or the effective date of County legislation addressing data-center placement, construction, and operation. A server room used by a single business, school, or organization is excluded from the definition of a data center. Temporary pause and exception
During the moratorium, the County may not accept or process an application for a Board of Appeals determination that a proposed data center is an unclassified use or for a privately initiated zoning-text amendment concerning data centers. Additional application restrictions
The County Council reserves the authority to extend or modify the temporary moratorium for additional periods and on terms it considers necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare. Authority to extend or modify
Sources
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