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Regbase

The Data Center Divide

Jasper County

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

Mixed Data Center Policies

Jasper County’s enacted one-year moratorium pauses permits, zoning actions, site plans, and incentives for data centers and related uses countywide; six-month extensions may be possible. One description calls it proposed, but the listed legal status is enacted.

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

Specific to Jasper County only.

current law · County measure
Would establish a temporary moratorium in Jasper County on accepting, reviewing, or acting on applications and incentives for data centers, data-processing facilities, cryptocurrency-mining operations, and related uses, affecting applicants, developers, and county offices; the proposed moratorium is reported to last one year, with possible six-month extensions.Jasper County Ordinance O-2026-35 (2026)

What this means

If enacted, the countywide moratorium would pause permits, zoning actions, site plans, and incentives for data centers and related uses, making new projects and expansions substantially harder to move forward (covered applications). The proposed pause lasts one year, with possible six-month extensions, so it is a severe but temporary restriction rather than a permanent ban (one-year term).

Timing

Ends
one year after adoption

The moratorium has a one-year term and may be extended for six-month periods.

People behind it

  • Proposed and introduced the temporary moratorium and approved its first and second readings.

  • Listed on the county council agenda as responsible for consideration of the ordinance’s third reading.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • A temporary, one-year moratorium—extendable in six-month periods—prohibits Jasper County from accepting, reviewing, or acting on applications that would authorize or permit data centers, data-processing facilities, cryptocurrency-mining operations, or other associated uses. It covers rezoning, special exceptions, special-use permits, building permits, site plans, plans of development for siting, economic incentives, fee-in-lieu-of-taxes arrangements, and any other form of incentive within the county.

Sources

current law · Unincorporated areas
Pauses data-center applications in unincorporated Jasper County for one year, prohibits them in Colleton County’s designated exclusion area, and would pause approvals in Beaufort County for nine months if adopted.South Carolina Jasper County Temporary Data Center Moratorium Ordinance (2026)

What this means

The measures would substantially slow or block development: Jasper and Beaufort propose temporary pauses, and Colleton bars data centers across much of its land. The restrictions are limited to certain county areas, and Beaufort’s pause is only proposed, so they do not amount to a statewide ban.

Timing

Ends
Jasper County: one year; Colleton County: six months; Beaufort County: nine months if the proposed moratorium is approved.

These are different county measures. Jasper’s one-year moratorium and Colleton’s six-month moratorium are described as enacted. Beaufort’s nine-month moratorium is proposed, not yet approved. Colleton also established a Data Center Exclusion Area where data centers cannot be built; the source does not state that this restriction expires.

People behind it

  • Passed the one-year moratorium on data center-related development.

  • Implemented a six-month moratorium and established the Data Center Exclusion Area.

  • Directed county staff to prepare a proposed nine-month moratorium and ordinance.

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  • Voted to send the proposed moratorium to County Council for approval.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements4

  • Jasper County imposed a one-year moratorium on accepting, reviewing, or acting on applications for data centers, data-processing facilities, cryptocurrency-mining operations, and associated uses. It applies only in unincorporated areas; town limits are not covered.

  • Colleton County imposed a six-month moratorium in July 2026 on data-center development.

  • Colleton County established a Data Center Exclusion Area where data centers cannot be built. It includes the proposed site and areas around the ACE Basin’s three rivers, but excludes town limits.

  • Beaufort County’s Planning Commission proposed a nine-month moratorium that would pause review of data-center applications and issuance of building permits. It requires County Council approval after three readings and was not yet in effect.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2

  • Jasper County’s moratorium applies only to unincorporated areas, leaving town limits outside the county moratorium and without county oversight under that measure.

  • Colleton County’s Data Center Exclusion Area does not include town limits, so the exclusion does not bar data centers there.

Sources

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