Worcester County Pauses Data Center Permits for a Year
Worcester County Commissioners in Maryland have enacted a temporary 12-month moratorium on new permits for data centers and cable landing stations. This pause, effective July 21, 2026, allows county staff to develop comprehensive zoning rules and regulations before further development is permitted. Any existing applications are also on hold during this period.
Worcester County Commissioners in Snow Hill, Maryland, have enacted a temporary moratorium on new permits for data centers and cable landing stations, effective July 21, 2026. The pause, implemented through Resolution No. 26-18, will last for up to 12 months, or until the commissioners decide to lift it earlier.
According to Commissioner President Ted Elder, the purpose of the moratorium is to provide county staff with sufficient time to study the impacts of these facilities and develop robust zoning rules and regulations. These new guidelines will address where data centers and cable landing stations can be located, how they should operate, and their potential community impacts. The county aims to proactively establish clear standards rather than react to individual proposals.
The moratorium applies to all new permit applications and any applications already in the pipeline, effectively halting all related reviews by the Board of Zoning Appeals. Once county staff complete drafting the new zoning rules, the proposed legislation will be made available for public review and discussion, though no specific date has been set. Residents are encouraged to monitor upcoming Commissioner meeting agendas for updates.