Manatee County Commissioners Approve 12-Month Data Center Moratorium
The Manatee County Commission approved a 12-month moratorium on new data center-related development applications in unincorporated Manatee County. The pause allows county staff to study data centers’ land-use, electricity, water, noise and infrastructure impacts and recommend future regulations.
The Manatee County Commission adopted Ordinance 26-42 after a second and final public hearing, temporarily stopping new applications for data center-related building permits, site plans, development orders, rezonings and other approvals in unincorporated Manatee County. The moratorium will last 12 months unless repealed earlier, with the board authorized to extend it if necessary.
Commissioner Amanda Ballard said the pause will give officials time to determine where and how data centers and other large-load facilities should fit within the county’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. Staff will examine electricity and water demand, noise, buffering, facility size, compatible zoning districts and development standards. The action follows a state law preserving local authority to regulate these facilities, which generally include data centers with peak monthly electrical loads of at least 50 megawatts.