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.
Orange County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Slightly Pro-Data Center Policies
Orange County’s enacted ordinance pauses approvals for large-scale data centers and related uses for one year, making new facilities harder to build; it does not require existing centers to stop operating.
Rating from North Carolina statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Orange County.
Specific to Orange County only.
current law · County measureAdopted unanimously by the Orange County Board of Commissioners on April 21, 2026, this ordinance establishes a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers and related uses, including artificial-intelligence data centers, cryptocurrency-mining facilities, data centers, and data-processing facilities.Orange County, North Carolina One-Year Moratorium Ordinance on Data Centers as a Land Use
What this means
If enacted, the one-year pause on approvals for large-scale data centers and related uses would make building new facilities substantially harder during that period. The measure does not say that existing data centers must stop operating.
Timing
- Ends
- one year after adoption
The measure establishes a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers and related uses. No extension condition is stated.
People behind it
- Orange County Board of Commissioners
Directed preparation of the measure, held the public hearing, and unanimously approved the one-year moratorium ordinance.
- Vice-Chair Amy Fowler
Introduced the motion to approve the one-year moratorium ordinance.
- Commissioner Marilyn Carter
Seconded the motion to approve the one-year moratorium ordinance.
Show 1 more peopleShow fewer people
- Orange County staff
Prepared the impact analysis and was directed to develop amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance defining and regulating large-scale data centers.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
Establishes a one-year moratorium on development approvals for large-scale data centers as a land use, including Artificial Intelligence data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities, data centers, data processing facilities, and similar uses.
Directs staff to prepare Unified Development Ordinance amendments to define and regulate large-scale data centers and related uses, including AI data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities, data centers, data processing facilities, and similar uses.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data