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.
St. Charles County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Neutral Data Center Policies
St. Charles County’s enacted ordinance imposes a six-month countywide pause on approvals and construction of large data centers, and restricts expansions; it may be extended.
Rating from Missouri statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for St. Charles County.
Specific to St. Charles County only.
current law · County measureTemporarily prohibits approvals, construction, and expansion of large-scale data centers—those exceeding 5 megawatts, 100,000 square feet, or operating as a multi-building campus—across St. Charles County for six months.St. Charles County Bill No. 5505 / Ordinance: Temporary Moratorium on Certain Large-Scale Data Centers (2026)
What this means
The measure would block approvals and new construction for large data centers countywide, and restrict expansion of existing facilities (moratorium provisions). The pause would last six months and could be extended, making it a severe but temporary barrier (six-month duration).
Timing
- Ends
- Six months following its effective date
The effective date is not specified in the provided sources, so a calendar expiration date cannot be determined. The Council may extend the moratorium upon finding that additional time is reasonably necessary to complete the studies and develop appropriate public-health regulations. six (6) months following its effective date
People behind it
- Steve Ehlmann
Named as the person who requested the original ordinance.
- Mike Elam
Named as a sponsor of the original ordinance.
- Patti York
Named as a sponsor of the original ordinance.
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- Council as a Whole
Sponsor of Bill No. 5505, which established the moratorium.
- Department of Public Health
Assigned to jointly study data-center impacts, hold public hearings, and prepare a report.
- Information Systems Department
Assigned to jointly study data-center impacts, hold public hearings, and prepare a report.
- Department of Community Development
Assigned to jointly study data-center impacts, hold public hearings, and prepare a report.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
For six months, county and municipal departments may not authorize construction, establishment, expansion, or operation of a Large-Scale Data Center, and no person or entity may begin its construction. The measure applies countywide, including incorporated and unincorporated areas, to data centers designed for more than 5 megawatts of electrical demand, occupying more than 100,000 square feet, or comprising multiple buildings functioning collectively as a data center. Moratorium and scope
An existing data center may not increase its electrical demand, physical footprint, cooling capacity, backup-generation capacity, or operational capacity without express County Council authorization and a finding that the expansion will not interfere with the ordinance’s purposes. Existing-center expansion restriction
The moratorium lasts six months from its effective date unless repealed sooner. The Council may extend it if it finds additional time reasonably necessary to complete the studies and develop regulations. Duration and possible extension
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
An existing data center may expand its electrical demand, physical footprint, cooling capacity, backup-generation capacity, or operational capacity if the County Council expressly authorizes the expansion after finding it will not interfere with the ordinance’s purposes (express authorization from the County Council).
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data