Florida
Active Bans / MoratoriumsGovernor Ron DeSantis signed SB 484 — the Florida Hyperscale Data Center Act — into law on May 7, 2026 (effective July 1). The law classifies data centers consuming 50+ MW at peak demand as 'large-scale,' bars utilities from passing data center costs onto residential and small-business ratepayers, requires data centers to pay their full cost of service, creates a permitting framework to protect aquifers and local water (mandating reclaimed water where feasible), and preserves local government authority to deny or impose stricter standards on data center projects. Florida continues to attract data center investment, particularly in the Miami and Jacksonville markets, but local pushback emerged in mid-2026: Sarasota County adopted a one-year hyperscale moratorium in July, DeSoto County moved toward one, and Lakeland approved a one-year moratorium on first reading July 21, 2026 (final reading August 3). Governor DeSantis was one of only three governors — along with New Hampshire's Ayotte and Vermont's Scott — who declined to sign the White House Ratepayer Protection Pledge expanded on July 23, 2026. Local restriction widened in August 2026. Washington County's commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on August 20 halting acceptance, processing, review and approval of data center applications in unincorporated areas, exempting only facilities where computer equipment occupies no more than 5% of gross floor area with demand under 250 kW. In Palm Beach County, commissioners voted 5-1 in July to reject Project Tango — a $2 billion AI campus — without prejudice after water-demand estimates diverged sharply between the developer's 5,000-gallon daily figure and county staff's 100,000-gallon projection, and approved a temporary halt on large-scale applications that went to a public hearing on August 27. Late August brought the first regulatory test of SB 484: the Public Service Commission is reviewing Duke Energy's first large-load proposal under the law, weighing whether it adequately shields ratepayers from data center costs, with a written order expected after post-hearing briefs. Martin County commissioners voted 4-1 on August 27 to put a moratorium discussion on their next agenda, while Tallahassee commissioners rejected a proposed AI data center ban 3-2 the same day, noting existing zoning already excludes such facilities. In early September 2026 Indiantown's Village Council rejected a proposed hyperscale application pause 4-1 — firing the village manager and removing the village attorney the same night — while North Port scheduled a moratorium vote for September 8. In September 2026, Levy County unanimously approved a moratorium in unincorporated areas (Ordinance 2026-05, through September 30, 2027), and an Orange County commissioner proposed a one-year moratorium on AI data center applications citing projected groundwater shortfalls. Manatee County commissioners unanimously enacted a 12-month moratorium on September 15, 2026; Alachua County's planning commission approved a 12-month moratorium the same day; and Leon County commissioners advanced an 18-month moratorium toward a final vote on October 13. The week of September 21, 2026 brought further restrictions: Wakulla County unanimously adopted an outright ban on data centers in unincorporated areas on September 22, and North Port approved an 18-month moratorium 3-2 on September 23 (exempting a roughly 900,000-square-foot project already proposed). Marion County had approved a 12-month moratorium on data centers of 50 MW or more on September 15. Edgewater's City Council unanimously enacted a permanent ban on data centers, AI data centers and crypto mining on September 14, 2026, with a November 3 ballot measure (Charter Amendment 4) to write the ban into the city charter. Volusia County's proposed ban on large-scale data centers in unincorporated areas passed first reading on October 6, 2026, with a final vote set for October 20.
Legislation
| Bill | Title | Status |
|---|---|---|
| SB 484 | Florida Hyperscale Data Center Act — ratepayer protection, water/aquifer permitting, local zoning authority | Signed into law by Gov. DeSantis — May 7, 2026 (effective July 1, 2026) |
Local Actions
Commissioners voted 5-0 in early July 2026 for a one-year moratorium on hyperscale data centers (50+ MW) through July 2027; a permanent-ban push was signaled for August.
Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data center applications (4-0, with one commissioner recused). The moratorium exempts rezoning applications tied to an 800-plus-acre project proposed near Roan Street earlier in 2026; the planning commission had recommended a two-year pause covering that project, but the county attorney urged the shorter, exempted version to limit legal exposure.
City Commission approved a one-year moratorium on large-scale data center applications on first reading; second and final reading set for August 3, 2026. Follows opposition to the "Project Swan" facility. Lakeland owns its utility, Lakeland Electric.
County commissioners unanimously approved a 12-month data center moratorium on September 15, 2026, following neighboring DeSoto County's controversial project approval.
Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on the acceptance, processing, review and approval of data center and large-scale data processing facility applications in unincorporated Washington County. Exempts facilities where computer equipment is no more than 5% of gross floor area and demand does not exceed 250 kW.
Commissioners voted 5-1 to reject Project Tango, a $2 billion AI data center, without prejudice over diverging water-demand estimates, and approved a temporary halt on large-scale data center applications that went to public hearing August 27, 2026.
City commissioners voted 3-2 against a proposed AI data center ban, with the majority noting existing zoning already prevents such facilities.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to add a data center moratorium discussion to their next agenda, to study environmental and infrastructure impacts.
Village Council voted 4-1 in early September 2026 against a proposed pause on hyperscale data center applications sought by residents concerned about the 'Project Growler' and 'Project Beskar' proposals; the same night the council fired the village manager and removed the village attorney, citing the need for stronger regulatory language.
Ordinance No. 2026-05, approved unanimously in September 2026: moratorium on data centers and large-scale power-intensive facilities in unincorporated areas through September 30, 2027, to study water, electricity, and infrastructure impacts given reliance on the Floridan Aquifer. Telecom, public-safety, and previously approved projects exempt.
Vice Mayor Kelly Martinez Semrad proposed a one-year moratorium on AI data center applications, citing a projected 96-million-gallon-per-day groundwater shortfall by 2045; proposal went to the county commission September 15, 2026.
The county Planning & Zoning Commission approved a 12-month data center moratorium on September 15, 2026, despite no currently proposed projects; final county commission action pending.
Commissioners unanimously advanced an 18-month moratorium on large-scale data centers; final vote set for October 13, 2026.
County Commission unanimously adopted an ordinance on September 22, 2026 explicitly prohibiting data centers throughout unincorporated areas; staff confirmed the facilities were not listed as a permitted or conditional use under existing zoning.
City Commission approved an 18-month moratorium on data centers on a 3-2 vote on September 23, 2026, exempting an approximately 900,000-square-foot facility already proposed after the city attorney warned that including the existing application could invite litigation.
County commissioners approved (5-0 final vote) a 12-month moratorium on September 15, 2026 on large commercial data centers with maximum electric demand of 50 MW or more, lasting until new land-development regulations are adopted if sooner; government facilities, schools, hospitals and telecom infrastructure are exempt, and sub-50 MW facilities can still seek special-use permits.
City Council unanimously approved a permanent ban on data centers, AI data centers and cryptocurrency mining on September 14, 2026, effective immediately — blocking development orders, permits and land use approvals, with exceptions for server rooms supporting other uses, emergency communication facilities and existing infrastructure. Voters decide November 3 whether to write the prohibition into the city charter as Charter Amendment 4.
A proposed ban on large-scale data centers in unincorporated areas passed first reading on October 6, 2026; the planning commission takes it up October 15, with a second and final reading set for October 20.