Stricter data center regulations approved in Henry County

Henry County, Virginia, has unanimously approved a new, rigorous zoning ordinance for data center development, following concerns raised by citizens. The updated regulations mandate that data center companies undergo three public hearing processes and fulfill extensive application requirements, including six different impact studies. A key provision is the requirement for data centers to be located within a specific "data center district," a designation currently not applied to any property in the county. This means any applicant would need to secure rezoning and a special use permit, both subject to multiple public hearings before the planning commission, board of supervisors, and board of zoning appeals.

The county's board of supervisors chairman, Jim Adams, stated that staff incorporated feedback from 37 residents to implement "the most protective measures." Henry County Planning Director Lee Clark noted that the new ordinance is stricter than those in other Virginia localities, where "by-right use" in industrial zones often simplifies data center entry. Clark emphasized that the board of supervisors will retain ultimate decision-making authority on whether to rezone properties for data centers, calling the process "as strict as you can get."

Despite the new ordinance, some residents expressed continued desire for even tougher restrictions, including ratepayer protection and zero public water usage by data centers, as well as an outright moratorium. However, County Attorney George Lyle advised against a moratorium, citing legal risks due to the difficulty of defending a refusal to accept applications in court. Lyle expressed confidence that the approved ordinance is "fair, transparent, rigorous," and sufficient to protect the community while allowing a just process. The initiative to amend the zoning ordinance began in late 2025, as the county sought to proactively manage data center growth by learning from other localities.