Shenandoah County VA First Data Center Ordinance (Planning Commission Recommendation)
Shenandoah County, VA · Planning Commission recommendation 2026-06 (6-1 vote)
In early June 2026, the Shenandoah County Planning Commission voted 6-1 to recommend the county's first data-center ordinance, which strikes by-right language and makes data centers a special use requiring a public hearing in industrial districts. County officials publicly stated a moratorium would not survive challenge under a 1978 AG opinion and 2001 Virginia Supreme Court precedent.
Technical detail
Planning Commission recommendation 2026-06 (6-1 vote). Substantive provision: removes by-right data-center use in industrial zoning; substitutes special-use process. <1% of Shenandoah County is currently zoned industrial. Awaiting BOS hearing.
Who is protected: Shenandoah County, VA residents
Who must comply: Data-center developers and operators seeking permits, rezonings, or approvals in Shenandoah County, VA
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Shenandoah County, VA |
|---|---|
| Level | County |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Effective date | 2026-06-10 |
| Enacted | 2026-06-23 |
| Citation | Planning Commission recommendation 2026-06 (6-1 vote) |
| Enforced by | Shenandoah County, VA government |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| Last verified | 2026-07-01 |
| Official source | Planners ponder data center regulations (Northern Virginia Daily) ↗ |
More AI rules in Shenandoah County, VA
- Shenandoah County VA · In effect
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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