Manatee County approves 12-month moratorium on data center development
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on data center applications and related development approvals. The pause will give county staff time to develop rules addressing data centers’ water and electricity use, environmental impacts, noise, zoning and design standards.
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners approved a 12-month moratorium on Oct. 8 covering building permits, site plans, development orders, development agreements, special-use permits, rezonings and comprehensive-plan amendments related to data centers. The ordinance follows Florida Senate Bill 484, which requires minimum energy tariffs for large-load customers and adds conditions for supplying them with water.
County staff member Jay Stearman said the moratorium will allow officials to recommend code updates addressing data center definitions, compatibility, water and electricity consumption, noise, environmental impacts, design standards, zoning and fees. Commissioners cited concerns about whether Manatee County and the state have sufficient water and power capacity for large-scale facilities amid an ongoing water shortage, while some said they could support extending the pause beyond 12 months.