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.
Chesterfield County
Anti-Data Center Policies
Chesterfield County limits new data centers to two employment districts and requires case-by-case conditional-use approval. Previously approved projects may proceed, but new development or expansion needing zoning approval faces significant barriers.
current law · County measureChesterfield County's ZOMod ordinance was adopted September 17, 2025, effective January 1, 2026.Virginia ZO-2025-001 (2025)
What this means
New data centers would be limited to two employment districts and require conditional-use approval, so projects face a narrower choice of sites and case-by-case review. Previously approved projects can proceed, but the change creates a significant barrier for new development and expansion requiring new zoning approval.
People behind it
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
Voted unanimously to approve the ordinance update.
- Chesterfield County Planning Commission
Recommended approval in July.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
Eliminates development by-right of new data center projects.
Limits approval to EC and EG under the Data Center use matrix.
The legacy-zoning grace period is not provided to data center projects.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
Recognizes Data Center as a defined use, including supporting infrastructure.
Retains a conditional-use approval path in EC and EG: allowed only in those districts as a conditional use.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data