Jackson County, FL Permanent Data Center Ban (Unincorporated County)
Jackson County, FL · Jackson County, Fla., Board of County Commissioners ordinance banning data centers in unincorporated county areas (final vote June 9, 2026; effective June 23, 2026)
The Jackson County, Florida Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a permanent ordinance banning data centers in unincorporated areas of the county after three public hearings. The ban took effect June 23, 2026 and replaces an earlier moratorium. It was triggered by community opposition to a proposed AI-focused data center near Compass Lake in Jackson County's panhandle territory. The ordinance also directed county staff to develop future comprehensive plan amendments addressing water use, electrical infrastructure, noise, environmental impacts, and traffic. Municipalities within Jackson County must adopt their own restrictions to be bound; the ban applies only to unincorporated county areas.
Technical detail
Jackson County (FL) Board of County Commissioners unanimous ordinance banning data centers in unincorporated county areas (no moratorium clock — permanent ban). Adopted after three public hearings; final vote June 9, 2026; effective June 23, 2026. Simultaneously rescinds the prior moratorium. Triggered by proposed AI-focused data center near Compass Lake (Panhandle region). Companion directive: staff ordered to review and develop future comprehensive plan and land development code amendments addressing water usage, electrical infrastructure, noise, lighting, environmental impacts, emergency services, traffic, and compatibility with surrounding land uses. Jackson County seat: Marianna, FL. The ban is one of the first permanent (non-moratorium) county-level data center prohibitions in the Southeast and joins similar outright bans in Cass County, IN and San Marcos, TX.
Who is protected: Jackson County, FL residents in unincorporated areas
Who must comply: Data center developers and operators seeking permits or approvals in unincorporated Jackson County, FL
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Jackson County, FL |
|---|---|
| Level | County |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Stronger protection |
| Effective date | 2026-06-23 |
| Enacted | 2026-06-09 |
| Citation | Jackson County, Fla., Board of County Commissioners ordinance banning data centers in unincorporated county areas (final vote June 9, 2026; effective June 23, 2026) |
| Enforced by | Jackson County, FL Board of County Commissioners / County Planning Department |
| Penalties | Permit denial for data center uses in unincorporated county areas |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| Last verified | 2026-07-16 |
| Official source | Data centers in Jackson County are officially banned — WUSF (June 11, 2026) ↗ |
Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere
- SB 484 (FL Data Center Costs) · In effect
- Maine Data Center Moratorium (vetoed) · Vetoed
- VA Data Center Siting Bill (Vetoed) · Vetoed
- VA Data Center Tax Exemption · In effect
- VA Data Center Cost-Allocation Law · In effect
- Texas SB 6 (Data Center Grid Law) · In effect
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