Data center regulations in Virginia evolved further with the veto session of the 2025 Legislative Session, March 24, 2025. Gov. Glenn Youngkin elected to not sign HB 1601/SB 1449 — which would require data center site...more
At its March 18, 2025, business meeting, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted 7-2 to approve a Zoning Ordinance amendment making data centers a special exception use in zoning districts in which they were previously...more
House Bill 1601/Senate Bill 1449 – Requires Virginia localities to have any application for a rezoning, special exception, or special use permit from a High Energy Use Facility (HEUF) (which is defined as a facility that will...more
Understanding the history of data centers in Virginia provides insight into how the General Assembly may manage the industry going forward, says McGuireWoods Consulting senior vice president Preston Bryant in an article...more
On Sept. 10, 2024, the Fairfax County, Virginia Board of Supervisors approved a zoning ordinance amendment that creates new restrictions for data centers. The amended ordinance permits by-right data center development in...more
Prince William County in Virginia has launched a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) initiative to incorporate recommendations from the Community Energy and Sustainability Master Plan into its comprehensive plan. The CPAM...more
On May 21, 2024, the Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) held an initial public discussion to consider opportunities, issues and the evolution of possible incentives and regulations pertaining to...more
On June 20, 2023, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted 5-4 to allocate $90,000 and to direct staff to start the process to amend the comprehensive plan and maps to reflect direction from earlier this year related...more
On April 12, 2023, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced it has officially withdrawn a proposal for a variance to a state law regarding the use of diesel generators as backup power for data centers...more
Beginning May 29, 2020, Northern Virginia entered Phase 1 of Gov. Ralph Northam’s “Forward Virginia Plan.” Phase 1 permits greater use of outdoor spaces, particularly for restaurants and health clubs. Use of those spaces will...more
The Virginia General Assembly recently authorized public bodies — including local boards and commissions — to meet electronically during the state of emergency declared by Gov. Ralph Northam in response to COVID-19. This...more