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.
Montgomery County
Neutral Data Center Policies
Montgomery County has enacted a measure, titled as a proposed resolution, directing staff and the Planning Commission to study data centers and recommend zoning changes; it does not change development rules, and case-by-case review remains under consideration.
current law · Unincorporated areasStudy directive, not an enacted data-center zoning amendment.Montgomery County, Virginia, proposed resolution to study data-center zoning (2026)
What this means
The measure directs county staff and the Planning Commission to study data centers and recommend possible zoning changes; it does not itself change what may be built or how facilities operate (study and recommend changes). The later discussion of case-by-case review is still under consideration, not an adopted rule, so this measure has no meaningful immediate effect on data center development.
People behind it
- Montgomery County Board of Supervisors
Initiated the zoning study by requesting that planning staff and the Planning Commission examine data centers as a land use and recommend possible ordinance changes.
- Montgomery County Planning Commission
Was directed to study data centers as a land use and recommend appropriate zoning changes.
- Montgomery County planning staff
Was directed to study data centers and work on recommendations for possible zoning ordinance changes.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
No new binding restriction created by the study directive. The preexisting code reportedly contains no provision allowing a data center in the county’s unincorporated areas. Conditional review for larger facilities remains discussion, not an adopted requirement.
Sources
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