James City County VA Data Center Ordinance & Policy (Closed-Loop Cooling Required)

In September 2025, the James City County Board of Supervisors approved zoning ordinance updates and a companion policy for data centers. The ordinance formally defines data centers, reclassifies them as industrial uses, and removes them from M-1 and Mixed Use districts. A November 2025 companion policy discourages data centers from connecting to public water systems or using well water for cooling, requires closed-loop cooling systems, and imposes up to 100-ft buffers along public rights-of-way with at least 45% evergreen tree mix.

Technical detail

Zoning ordinance updated September 2025 (closer to Sept 9 per WHRO 2025-09-10 report). Companion policy November 2025 mandates closed-loop cooling and water-source restrictions. 100-ft ROW buffer with ≥45% evergreen mix.

Who is protected: James City County, VA residents

Who must comply: Data-center developers and operators seeking permits, rezonings, or approvals in James City County, VA

Key facts

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