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.
Suffolk city
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Mixed Data Center Policies
Suffolk city’s enacted rule bars data centers in every zoning district and prevents treating them as warehouses or trucking terminals. The description calls this a temporary moratorium pending new rules, though it also labels the measure enacted.
Rating from Virginia statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Suffolk city.
Specific to Suffolk city only.
current law · County measureThis amendment temporarily prohibits data centers as a use in all Suffolk zoning districts while the city develops permanent data-center regulations.Suffolk City Unified Development Ordinance amendment prohibiting data centers (2026)
What this means
The proposal would prohibit data centers in every zoning district, and its definition would prevent them from being treated as warehouses or trucking terminals. The sources describe the restriction as a temporary moratorium while the city develops rules, so it creates a major barrier to new projects but is not presented as a permanent ban. Prohibited in all zoning districts; until it has rules and restrictions in place.
Timing
- Ends
- until Suffolk has rules and restrictions in place
The staff-report ordinance text does not specify a sunset date; WHRO describes the moratorium as lasting until the city has rules and restrictions in place. No extension condition is stated.
People behind it
- City of Suffolk
Initiated OTA2026-008 and is identified as its applicant.
- John Rector
Moved to place on the City Council agenda a motion requesting that the Planning Commission draft an amendment to prohibit data centers in all zoning districts.
- City Council
Approved the motion directing the Planning Commission to draft the amendment.
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- City planning staff
Prepared the proposed text amendment.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
Data centers are prohibited in every zoning district. The moratorium prevents projects from moving forward until rules are in place; the ordinance text specifies no end date. Prohibited use in all zoning districts.
Data centers cannot be treated as trucking terminals or as general warehousing, warehouse and freight storage, or limited wholesale warehousing and distribution uses. These uses do not include data centers.
Sources
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