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Regbase

The Data Center Divide

Vance County

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

Slightly Pro-Data Center Policies

Vance County’s measure is labeled enacted, though its description says it would pause new data center applications for up to 60 days; applications already filed are excluded.

Rating from North Carolina statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Vance County.

current law · County project: Property off NC Hwy 158 Business (PIN 0414 01005)
The county approved a project-specific rezoning of approximately 40 acres near U.S.Vance County Rezoning for Natelli Holdings Data Center Site near U.S. 158 Business (2026)

Sources

Specific to Vance County only.

current law · County measure
Vance County commissioners voted 5–2 for a 60-day data-center moratorium, taking effect upon adoption at the September 14, 2026 meeting.Vance County 60-Day Data Center Moratorium (2026)

What this means

The measure would pause acceptance, processing, and approval of new data center applications for up to 60 days while the county considers new standards (applications submitted after adoption). That is a substantial but temporary delay; the reported project application already filed would not be stopped (the proposal already submitted).

Timing

Ends
Nov 13, 2026

County manager reports termination November 13 or upon adoption of a zoning amendment and board authority to extend, amend or repeal. This is the stated term, not verification that actual expiration occurred; later changes unverified.

People behind it

  • Commissioner who introduced the adopted motion.

  • Commissioner who proposed a six-month alternative, which was not available for a vote due to notice issues.

  • County manager who clarified termination and potential board modification.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Reported adopted 60-day data-center moratorium; advertised notice covers acceptance, processing and approval of later-filed applications. Final text and later changes unverified.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2

  • Advertised moratorium scope is limited to applications submitted after adoption, rather than an express halt of all earlier applications. Final adopted text remains unverified; this is not a separate local grant of statewide permit-choice rights.

  • Reported pause may end upon adoption of the data-center zoning amendment, before its stated November termination.

Sources

Specific to Vance County only.

pending · County measure
Vance County’s revised Article 5 contains proposed Section 5.13.4 data-center standards, with 150-foot nonresidential and 500-foot residential property-line setbacks, noise limits, utility requirements and applicant-funded expert review.Vance County Unified Development Ordinance Article V, Section 5.13.4 — Proposed Data Center Standards (2026)

What this means

The proposed amendment would make new data centers significantly harder to build, though it would not ban them. It requires large setbacks and buffers, limits noise and height, requires public water and sewer, and makes applicants pay for expert review—all adding costs and hurdles. Development could still proceed if it meets the proposed standards.

People behind it

  • Commissioner who requested additional restrictions during draft review.

  • County attorney who explained permit-choice considerations during the joint work session.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements6

  • Proposed: 150-foot nonresidential and 500-foot residential setbacks, plus 1,000-foot separation from specified sensitive uses.

  • Proposed: 60-foot building height maximum, 50-foot opaque perimeter buffer and additional screening and lighting controls.

  • Proposed: 65 dBA property-line noise ceiling, supported by a licensed acoustical engineer's noise study.

  • Proposed: public water and sewer connection, utility-capacity documentation and no primary generator power.

  • Proposed: 12-month cessation triggers abandonment analysis, with material-removal obligations, and applicant-funded consultant review.

  • Draft includes critical-watershed prohibition wording, but its footnote expressly calls it a placeholder that may be deleted if inapplicable; do not treat as adopted or applicable.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions3

  • Proposed: no minimum lot size, conditional on meeting other standards.

  • Proposed: existing facilities would follow separate existing-center standards, rather than the full new-development package.

  • Proposed: county policy not to overly restrict development based on utility needs, conditional on capacity and no impacts on existing customers.

Sources

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