Caroline County, VA
Planning Commission ·
“SB 443 / HB 891 Siting of battery energy storage projects;”
Virginia local moratoria on data centers, battery storage, solar and wind
Every local moratorium we know of in Virginia, by county, township, town, city and village: 7 records, of which 4 are in force or recently adopted and 2 are pending or proposed. Upcoming votes are listed below.
Data last changed (11:57 UTC) · page regenerated daily, last on
4
in force or recently adopted
0
upcoming hearings and votes (120 days)
7
moratoria on record
7
governments with a record
Map
- Moratorium in force or adopted
- Vote pending or proposed
- Ended
- None known
Counties link to their county pages; shaded townships, cities and villages link to their records. County-wide moratoria shade the whole county. Boundaries: Census TIGER/Line 2025.
Upcoming votes and hearings
No upcoming hearing or vote detected in the Virginia governments we monitor. Coverage is partial; that does not mean none are scheduled.
All known local moratoria in Virginia
7 records
| Date | Government | County | Uses | Status | Details and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loudoun County | — | Data centers | In force Active |
Board of Supervisors action taken September 16, 2026 enacting a temporary pause on Board consideration of certain legislative (Special Exception)... (Moratorium Nation) | |
| Shenandoah County | — | Data centers | Proposed On the agenda (before the vote), Sep 3, 2026 |
Planning commission recommendation on a proposed data center moratorium — Planning Commission, Sep 3, 2026. Source document (opens in a new tab) (Siting Radar) | |
| City of Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach city | Data centers | In force Active |
Resolution adopted by Virginia Beach City Council on August 18, 2026, pausing the issuance of permits related to any new data center for 12 months... (Moratorium Nation) | |
| City of Chesapeake | Chesapeake city | Data centers | In force Active |
Resolution 26-R-042, adopted by Chesapeake City Council 9-0 on July 21, 2026 (Moratorium Nation) | |
| Town of Front Royal | Warren County | Data centers | In force Active |
Resolution Establishing a Temporary Ninety (90) Day Moratorium on the Acceptance of Data Center Land Use Applications, adopted 6-0 by Front Royal... (Moratorium Nation) | |
| Fluvanna County | — | Data centers | Ended Replaced by permanent rules |
Board motion approving a moratorium on new data center applications; related resolution of intention and ZTA 25:10 (Moratorium Nation) | |
| — | City of Suffolk | Suffolk city | Data centers | Pending Pending (not yet enacted) |
UDO Text Amendment OTA2026-008, recommended by the Planning Commission on 2026-09-15 (Moratorium Nation) |
Moratorium records marked “Moratorium Nation” come from the Moratorium Nation inventory by Michael J. Bommarito, licensed CC BY 4.0; status follows that inventory, and we mark a record ended once its recorded end date has passed. Records marked “Siting Radar” are our own detections in public meeting documents: the status is the latest step we saw, with a link to the source. Not legal advice.
Download our Virginia detections (CSV, our summaries only) · About the open data
Moratoria by month
- Moratorium Nation (enacted)
- Siting Radar detections not in that inventory (adopted)
Show as a table
| Month | Moratorium Nation | Siting Radar | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2026 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Aug 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Who decides siting in Virginia
General information about state law as checked on Sep 29, 2026, with sources. Not legal advice; thresholds, exemptions and pending legislation change.
- Counties, cities and towns decide siting through rezonings and special exceptions or special use permits; public utility facilities also need planning-commission review for “substantial accord” with the comprehensive plan (Va. Code 15.2-2232), and solar in a district that allows it by right is deemed in accord.[1]
- Electric generating and energy storage facilities need approval from the State Corporation Commission (Va. Code 56-580(D)), unless exempt as a small renewable project with a DEQ permit by rule.[2]
- DEQ’s permit by rule covers solar or wind projects up to 150 MW and requires the locality’s certification that the project complies with all applicable land use ordinances (Va. Code 10.1-1197.6).[3]
- Solar (over 5 MW) and storage applicants must notify the host locality and may negotiate a siting agreement covering mitigation, payments or broadband; an approved agreement deems the project in accord with the comprehensive plan, and failing to agree may be a factor but not the sole reason for denial (Va. Code 15.2-2316.6 to .9).[4][5]
- Under a 2026 amendment, battery storage on a parcel with an approved solar special exception, sized up to 100% of the solar nameplate capacity, is a permitted accessory use needing no further local land-use approval (Va. Code 15.2-2316.10).[6]
- A 2026 law (Acts ch. 568, approved Apr 13, 2026) requires, before any rezoning, special exception or special use permit for a new facility needing 100 MW or more, a site assessment of its sound on homes and schools within 500 ft, and it does not supersede local zoning authority.[7]
- On Sep 18, 2026 the Governor signed Executive Order 22 and announced a data-center framework that includes ending by-right approval for data centers over 25 MW; the Governor will ask the 2027 General Assembly to write the framework into law.[8]
- On Mar 31, 2026 the Court of Appeals of Virginia held the Prince William Digital Gateway rezonings void for defective public-hearing notice (Va. Code 15.2-2204); the last developer dropped its appeal on Jul 2, 2026.[9][10]
- Code of Virginia 15.2-2232 (text retrieved Sep 29, 2026; checked Sep 29, 2026)
- Code of Virginia 56-580 (history through 2026) (text retrieved Sep 29, 2026; checked Sep 29, 2026)
- Code of Virginia 10.1-1197.6 (text retrieved Sep 29, 2026; checked Sep 29, 2026)
- Code of Virginia, Title 15.2, Chapter 22, Article 7.3 (siting of solar projects and energy storage projects) (text retrieved Sep 29, 2026; checked Sep 29, 2026)
- Code of Virginia 15.2-2316.9 (amended 2026, cc. 1011, 1076) (text retrieved Sep 29, 2026; checked Sep 29, 2026)
- Code of Virginia 15.2-2316.10 (2026, cc. 1011, 1076) (text retrieved Sep 29, 2026; checked Sep 29, 2026)
- Virginia Acts of Assembly, 2026 Session, Chapter 568 (SB 94), adding Va. Code 15.2-2209.4 (approved Apr 13, 2026; checked Sep 29, 2026)
- Office of the Governor of Virginia, Data Center Accountability Framework and Executive Order 22 (published Sep 18, 2026; checked Sep 29, 2026)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly, “Prince William County data center rezoning is void ab initio” (Bd. of Supervisors v. Oak Valley HOA, Ct. App. Va.) (published Apr 22, 2026; checked Sep 29, 2026)
- WTOP, “Digital Gateway data center project dies after final developer withdraws appeal” (published Jul 2, 2026; checked Sep 29, 2026)
Recent siting-rule activity (last 90 days)
Prince George County, VA
Planning Commission ·
“o Permits battery energy storage systems as an accessory use in any zoning district on a parcel that is subject to an approved special exception for a solar facility.”
Halifax County, VA
Planning Commission ·
“…October 20, 2026 Detrick Easley Item# D-1 Ordinance# 2026-44 Department: Planning & Zoning Solar Ordinance Revisions Subject: Background: As of April 2026, Virginia energy legislation is expanding renewable energy…”
Mathews County, VA
Board of Supervisors ·
“…Bay and have the county in compliance with new state laws concerning solar and battery storage provided the ordinance’s existing Conditional Use criteria is consistently applied.”
Buckingham County, VA
Board of Supervisors meeting ·
“A technology overlay district opens the door to industrial and data center development along that same stretch by right without individual review.”
Rockbridge County, VA
Planning Commission ·
“…30, Article III, Section 30-12, to clarify the applicability of the Solar Ordinance to ground mounted facilities of one megawatt or more, in coordination with the threshold set forth by House Bill 711.”
Cumberland County, VA
Board of Supervisors ·
“…– TBD Cumberland Road Summit Ridge Energy Behind 1650 Site 1 – 3MW AC Solar Project (SRE)/Rowlette (Site 1 and Cumberland Road – Site 2 – 2 MW AC Solar Project Site 2) TBD Cumberland Road Residential Erosion and…”
Franklin County, VA
Planning Commission ·
“Mr. Peters asked if it was worth discussing amending the Zoning Ordinance to allow data centers by special use permit instead of by right.”
Prince George County, VA
Planning Commission ·
“At 7:08 p.m. Chairman Joyner opened the Public Hearing to anyone who wished to speak for or against the Solar Ordinance Amendment.”
James City County, VA
Policy Committee ·
“On a voice vote, the vote to recommend approval of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance Regarding Data Center Siting: Site Assessment to the Planning Commission.”
Scott County, VA
Board of Supervisors ·
“…Public Hearing on the possible adoption of an Ordinance to Amend the Scott County Zoning Ordinance to review the Official Zoning Map and to amend Article III Use and Design Standards, Section 300-100-13 Miscellaneous…”
Powhatan County, VA
Planning Commission ·
“22. That Section 83-262 of the Code of the County of Powhatan be amended and reordained as follows: Sec. 83-262. Conditional uses. [Heavy Industrial – I-2 District] The following uses are allowable as principal uses in…”
Botetourt County, VA
Planning Commission ·
“aff will continue coordinating with the County Attorney to address remaining comments and integrate appropriate language and concepts into the final draft of the solar ordinance.”
Town of Front Royal, VA
Town Council Meeting Agendas · · Warren County
“…Draft Data Center Ordinance | Planning Commission Recommendation 7-29-2026 | Page 32 of 34 Page 202 of 206”
City of Petersburg, VA
Planning Commission · · Petersburg city
“ct upon adoption •Existing data center projects will be considered legal non-conforming, but any new project will be subject to updated regulations •Any property rezoned for data center development will also require SUP…”
Frequently asked questions
How many local moratoria are there in Virginia?
As of Nov 15, 2026 we list 7 local moratoria in Virginia: 6 from the Moratorium Nation inventory (CC BY 4.0) and 1 more found in meeting documents we monitor. 4 are in force or recently adopted, 2 are pending or proposed and 1 have ended. Coverage is partial, so the real number is likely higher.
Which Virginia communities have a data center moratorium?
As of Nov 15, 2026, 4 Virginia governments have a data center moratorium in force or recently adopted in our records, including Loudoun County, City of Virginia Beach, City of Chesapeake and Town of Front Royal. Most are temporary moratoria, not permanent bans; check the linked records for dates.
Are any moratorium or siting votes coming up in Virginia?
None detected as of Nov 15, 2026 in the Virginia governments we monitor. That does not mean none are scheduled: many governments post agendas only days before a meeting, and coverage is partial.
Who approves large solar, wind and battery projects in Virginia?
Counties, cities and towns decide siting through rezonings and special exceptions or special use permits; public utility facilities also need planning-commission review for “substantial accord” with the comprehensive plan (Va. Code 15.2-2232), and solar in a district that allows it by right is deemed in accord. Which state and local rules apply to a given project depends on its type and size; the cited notes on this page summarise Virginia's siting authority as of Sep 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is information compiled automatically from public records and the Moratorium Nation inventory. It may be incomplete or out of date. Read the linked sources and confirm with the local government and your counsel.