Stafford County VA Data Center Ordinance O25-29(R) — 750-ft Residential Setback

Stafford County Ordinance O25-29(R) — 'An Ordinance to Amend and to Reordain Stafford County Code Sec. 28-39 Special Regulations Regarding Data Centers' — was adopted December 2, 2025. The companion Comprehensive Plan amendment (R25-208) had been approved October 21, 2025 by a 4-2-1 vote. The headline provision: new data-center buildings must be set back 750 ft from adjacent homes, schools, or the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers (vs. the prior 100-ft setback). Five previously-approved projects (Stafford Technology Campus, Potomac Church Tech Center, Centreport Gateway/Pemberton, Vantage VA-4/Melrod, Cranes Corner) were unanimously grandfathered.

Technical detail

O25-29 (initial) adopted 2025-10-21; O25-29(R) (with grandfathering) adopted 2025-12-02. Amends Stafford County Code §28-39. 750-ft setback from residential, schools, and named rivers. Companion Comp Plan resolution R25-208.

Who is protected: Stafford County, VA residents

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

Key facts

More AI rules in Stafford County, VA

• Stafford County Data Center Zoning Ordinance + Comp Plan Amendment · 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