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AI Laws in Virginia
As of 2026-08-12, AI Laws USA tracks 60 AI rules in Virginia: 22 state-level rules and 38 county or city rules. Federal AI protections apply statewide on top of these — see the federal page. Each entry links to its official source.
Virginia state-level AI rules (22)
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In effect
Virginia § 15.2-1723.2 (facial recognition by local law enforcement, eff. July 1, 2026)
Virginia · Effective 2026-07-01 · Va. Code § 15.2-1723.2 (2026), effective July 1, 2026
Virginia Code § 15.2-1723.2, effective July 1, 2026, imposes statewide binding requirements on how local law enforcement agencies in Virginia may use facial recognition technology. Agencies wishing to use facial recognition must publicly post a policy meeting or exceeding the State Police model, publish annual use reports by April 1 each year, and give 30 days written notice to their governing body before procuring the technology. The law bans real-time tracking of identified individuals in public spaces and prohibits creating a live-video database using facial recognition. All searches must be logged and violations by operators constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor. The law applies to all Virginia localities, including Northern Virginia regional law enforcement systems.
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In effect
VA SCC Data Center Rate Case
VA · Effective 2024-11-13 · Va. SCC Case No. PUR-2024-00144
Virginia's State Corporation Commission opened a formal investigation into how data center load growth — driven by AI compute demand — should be allocated across electricity rate classes, to keep residential customers from subsidizing AI data centers. Includes minimum-billing demands and special tariffs.
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In effect
VA HB 2678 (2019, first deepfake-NCII criminal law)
VA · Effective 2019-07-01 · Va. Code § 18.2-386.2 (as amended by HB 2678, 2019 Reg. Sess.)
Virginia HB 2678 (2019) was the first U.S. state law to criminalize AI-generated nonconsensual intimate imagery (deepfake porn). It amended Va. Code § 18.2-386.2 (revenge-porn statute) to cover 'falsely created videographic or still image' depictions. Class 1 misdemeanor. Still in effect 2026 and remains the foundational state deepfake-NCII statute.
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In effect
VA PDD Act (2017 — first)
Virginia · Effective 2017-07-01 · Va. Code §§ 46.2-100, 46.2-908.1:1
Virginia was the first U.S. state to legalize sidewalk delivery robots. PDDs may operate on sidewalks and crosswalks (10 mph cap, 50 lb cargo limit), must carry $100,000 liability insurance and a visible operator ID, and localities may further regulate them. Starship Technologies' deployment at George Mason in 2019 traces back to this law.
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In effect
VA warrantless drone ban
Virginia · Effective 2013-04-03 · Va. Code § 19.2-60.1
Virginia was the first state to limit law-enforcement drone use, imposing a two-year moratorium in 2013 and then permanently barring police use of drones without a warrant or specific exception (search-and-rescue, training, surveillance of an Amber-alert subject). Evidence from unlawful drone surveillance is inadmissible.
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In effect
Virginia IVO AI Safety Study (SB 384/HB 797, 2026)
Virginia · Effective 2026-07-01 · 2026 Va. Acts, SB 384 / HB 797 (JCOTS IVO Study Directive), eff. July 1, 2026
Virginia enacted SB 384 and companion HB 797 on April 13, 2026, directing the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) to study the feasibility of a framework for Independent Verification Organizations (IVOs) — independent bodies that would assess whether AI models and applications meet safety standards designed to prevent personal injury and property damage. This is a study directive only; it does not create any compliance obligations for AI developers or deployers today. If JCOTS recommends a framework, future legislation could require IVO certification before deployment of high-risk AI systems in Virginia.
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In effect
VA Data Center Cost-Allocation Law
Virginia · Effective 2026-07-01 · Va. SB 253 (2026) (Sen. Lucas); companion Va. HB 1393 (2026); related Va. HB 507 (2026, generator air permits). Signed with gubernatorial amendments, May 2026; effective July 1, 2026.
Virginia's 2026 data-center cost-allocation law (SB 253, by Sen. L. Louise Lucas, with companion HB 1393). As amended by Gov. Spanberger and signed in May 2026, it lets the State Corporation Commission (SCC) shift certain electricity costs — PJM capacity-auction purchases and the financing of distribution lines and substations that mainly serve data centers — onto data centers and other very large (25 MW+) customers in their rate class, instead of spreading them across residential bills. The governor's amendments made the cost-shift SCC-discretionary rather than automatic, so the real-world savings depend on future SCC rate cases. The bill also extends Dominion and Appalachian Power low-income weatherization programs.
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In effect
Virginia SB 394 (AI-in-schools guidance, board policies, pilot)
Virginia · Effective 2026-07-01 · Va. Code 22.1-20.2:1 (new); SB 394 (2026)
Virginia directed its Department of Education to study how AI is currently used in public-school instruction and publish guidance for safe, ethical, and equitable AI use in the classroom, addressing student data privacy, teacher training, transparency, and bias. Each local school board must adopt aligned policies. The law also creates an 'AIS Innovation in Education' pilot program, prioritizing high-poverty, rural, and under-resourced divisions, sunsetting July 1, 2030.
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In effect
New GS-5 Data Center / Large Load Rate Class, DEV 2025 Bienn
Virginia State Corporation Commission (Dominion Energy Virginia) · Effective 2025-11-25 · New GS-5 Data Center / Large Load Rate Class, DEV 2025 Biennial Review (Case PUR-2025-00058)
The Virginia SCC created a new GS-5 rate class (effective Jan 1, 2027) for customers exceeding 25 MW with load factor above 75%, requiring 14-year contracts and minimum demand charges of 85% for transmission/distribution and 60% for generation so data centers pay their own costs.
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In effect
Executive Order 51 (2025): First-In-The-Nation Agentic Artif
Virginia · Effective 2025-07-11 · Executive Order 51 (2025): First-In-The-Nation Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) Empowered Statewide Regulatory Review
Governor Youngkin's order launches a pilot using agentic AI to scan the Commonwealth's regulations and guidance documents for redundant or outdated requirements and directs executive-branch agencies to incorporate AI into their periodic regulatory reviews.
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In effect
Va. Code 19.2-11.14 (humans, not AI, must decide bail/sentencing/parole)
Virginia · Effective 2025-07-01 · Va. Code 19.2-11.14; HB 1642 (2025), Va. Acts c. 637
Virginia requires that key criminal-justice decisions be made by a human being, even when an AI tool produces a recommendation or prediction. The rule covers pretrial detention or release, prosecution, adjudication, sentencing, probation, parole, correctional supervision, and rehabilitation. No such decision may be made without a human decision-maker, and any AI-generated recommendation is subject to any challenge or objection allowed by law.
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In effect
VA DOI AI Bulletin
VA · Effective 2024-07-22 · Virginia SCC Bureau of Insurance Administrative Letter 2024-01 (2024-07-22)
The VA Department of Insurance adopted the NAIC Model Bulletin on Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems by Insurers. Insurers licensed in VA must maintain a written AI program with governance, risk-management, testing, third-party-AI oversight, and documentation controls. The bulletin operationalizes existing unfair-trade-practice and unfair-discrimination law as applied to insurers' AI use cases — underwriting, pricing, claims, fraud detection, and marketing.
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In effect
Virginia SB 731 (AI/computer-generated CSAM covered)
Virginia · Effective 2024-07-01 · Va. Code 18.2-374.1; SB 731 (2024), Va. Acts c. 262
Virginia clarified that its definition of child pornography reaches computer-generated and synthetic depictions of minors. For the prong covering a minor shown in a state of nudity or engaged in sexual conduct, the minor depicted 'does not have to actually exist,' ensuring AI-generated or fabricated child sexual abuse material falls within existing criminal prohibitions. The existing felony penalties apply.
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In effect
VA EO 30 (2024)
VA · Effective 2024-01-18 · Va. Exec. Order No. 30 (Jan. 18, 2024)
Governor Youngkin's EO 30 directs the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) to issue AI policy and IT standards for state agencies, develops K-12 and higher-ed AI education guidelines, sets law-enforcement AI standards, and creates a Virginia AI Task Force.
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In effect
Virginia VCDPA (opt out of profiling, $7,500/violation)
Virginia · Effective 2023-01-01 · Va. Code 59.1-575 to 59.1-585 (esp. 59.1-577, 59.1-580, 59.1-584); HB 2307 / SB 1392 (2021)
Virginia's comprehensive privacy law gives consumers the right to opt out of 'profiling' used to make decisions producing legal or similarly significant effects, such as automated decisions affecting credit, housing, employment, or essential services. Businesses must obtain heightened consent before processing the data of a known child (via federal COPPA) and must conduct documented data protection assessments for higher-risk processing, including certain profiling. The Attorney General enforces the law and may seek up to $7,500 per violation; there is no private right of action.
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In effect
Va. Code 32.1-127 (rules for patient voice assistants in care facilities)
Virginia · Effective 2021-07-01 · Va. Code 32.1-127; HB 2154 (2021 Sp. Sess. I), Va. Acts cc. 219, 233, 525
Virginia directed its Board of Health to write regulations requiring hospitals, nursing homes, and certified nursing facilities to adopt policies on when and how a patient may use their own voice-driven 'intelligent personal assistant' (such as a smart speaker or AI digital assistant) during inpatient care, consistent with HIPAA. The statute defines an intelligent personal assistant as a device-and-software combination that uses natural language processing and AI.
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In effect
Virginia HB 2678 (deepfake nude/explicit images become a crime)
Virginia · Effective 2019-07-01 · Va. Code 18.2-386.2; HB 2678 (2019), Va. Acts cc. 490, 515
Virginia made it a crime to share or sell a fabricated nude or sexually explicit image of a real, identifiable person without their consent. The 2019 amendment covered 'deepfakes' and other doctored media: it no longer matters that the explicit image was synthesized or altered, only that it depicts an actual person who is recognizable. Doing so with intent to coerce, harass, or intimidate is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
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In effect
VA Data Center Tax Exemption
Virginia · Effective 2010-07-01 · Va. Code § 58.1-609.3(18)
Virginia exempts qualifying data centers from sales and use tax on servers and related equipment — a key driver of the world's largest data center market in Northern Virginia. Operators must meet capital investment and job-creation thresholds; the exemption runs through mid-2035 with extensions for very large investments.
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Enacted (not yet in effect)
Virginia FY2026-2028 Biennial Budget: Data Center Electricit
Virginia · Virginia FY2026-2028 Biennial Budget: Data Center Electricity Tax, Water Cooling and Noise Provisions
Virginia's new two-year budget imposes a first-of-its-kind $0.011/kWh tax on data center electricity consumption effective July 1, 2026, and directs regulators to establish water-cooling scarcity rules and first-ever noise standards for data centers.
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Vetoed
VA Data Center Siting Bill (Vetoed)
Virginia · Va. HB 1601 (2025) (vetoed May 2, 2025)
A bipartisan 2025 bill that would have required data center developers to perform site assessments covering water, noise, and historic resources before local land-use approval, including noise studies for homes and schools within 500 feet. Governor Youngkin vetoed it on May 2, 2025.
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Repealed / replaced
VA SB 1392 / HB 2031 (2021 FR moratorium, narrowed 2022)
VA · Effective 2021-07-01 · Va. Code § 15.2-1723.2 (former, HB 2031 / SB 1392 2021) — substantially superseded by HB 1352 / SB 741 (2022)
Virginia's 2021 facial recognition moratorium (HB 2031, with Sen. Boysko's SB 1392 companion) prohibited local law enforcement use of facial recognition without legislative authorization. It was rolled back in 2022 by HB 1352 / SB 741 which authorized use with constraints — making the 2021 moratorium one of the shortest-lived state AI restrictions on record.
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Vetoed
VA HB 2094 (vetoed)
VA · Va. HB 2094 (2025) — vetoed Mar. 24, 2025
Virginia HB 2094 would have imposed Colorado-style duties on developers and deployers of high-risk AI systems with consumer disclosures and impact assessments. Governor Youngkin vetoed it on March 24, 2025 — the first red-state veto of an EU-AI-Act-style framework.
County and city AI rules in Virginia (38)
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In effect
Stafford County VA Data Center Ordinance O25-29(R)
Stafford County, VA · Effective 2025-12-02 · O25-29 (initial) adopted 2025-10-21; O25-29(R) (with grandfathering) adopted 2025-12-02
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.
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In effect
James City County VA Data Center Ordinance & Policy
James City County, VA · Effective 2025-09-09 · Zoning ordinance updated September 2025 (closer to Sept 9 per WHRO 2025-09-10 report)
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.
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In effect
Town of Warrenton VA Zoning Ordinance Amendment
Warrenton, VA · Effective 2025-07-08 · Town zoning ordinance amendment 2025-07-08 fully removes data-center use category from town industrial districts
On July 8, 2025, the Warrenton Town Council amended its zoning ordinance to remove data centers as a permissible use in industrial zoning districts within town limits. Warrenton is the county seat of Fauquier County and the action is parallel to Fauquier County's 2024 Vint Hill PCID restrictions on data centers above 50,000 sq ft.
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In effect
Henrico County VA Data Center Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Henrico County, VA · Effective 2025-06-10 · Data Center Comprehensive Plan Amendment adopted 2025-06-10 as appendix to Vision 2026
On June 10, 2025, the Henrico County Board of Supervisors adopted the Data Center Comprehensive Plan Amendment, incorporated as an appendix to the Vision 2026 Comprehensive Plan. The amendment ends by-right data-center development in most industrial and business zones, requires Provisional Use Permit (PUP) review for new stand-alone data centers (Planning Commission + BOS public hearings), imposes a 500-ft residential setback, and requires noise studies both prior to construction and prior to certificate of occupancy.
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In effect
Loudoun County VA Data Center Standards & Locations Phase 1
Loudoun County, VA · Effective 2025-03-18 · CPAM-2024-0001 + ZOAM-2024-0001, adopted 2025-03-18 (vote 7-2)
On March 18, 2025, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved the Phase 1 Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM-2024-0001) and Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOAM-2024-0001) by a 7-2 vote (Umstattd and Kershner dissenting). The amendments designate data centers a conditional use in the 2019 General Plan and require Special Exception (SPEX) approval for data center uses in the Industrial Park (IP), General Industry (GI), and Mineral Resources-Heavy Industry (MR-HI) zoning districts, eliminating by-right approval. The Board also approved a grandfathering resolution exempting applications filed before Feb. 12, 2025 that are >500 ft from residential and are diligently pursued.
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In effect
Roanoke City VA Data Center Special Exception Zoning Ordinance
Roanoke, VA · Effective 2026-07-07 · Roanoke City, VA City Council unanimous vote, July 7, 2026, data center special exception zoning ordinance
On July 7, 2026, the Roanoke City (VA) City Council unanimously passed a new zoning ordinance setting rules for where and how data centers can be built in the city. The ordinance requires data centers to obtain a special exception permit, which triggers a public hearing before the Planning Commission and City Council before any approval. Roanoke is an independent city in the Roanoke Valley of southwestern Virginia, separate from Roanoke County.
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In effect
Shenandoah County VA First Data Center Zoning Ordinance
Shenandoah County, VA · Effective 2026-06-23 · Shenandoah County, VA Board of Supervisors 6-0 vote, June 23, 2026, data center special use zoning ordinance
On June 23, 2026, the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors voted 6-0 to adopt the county's first data-center zoning ordinance, following a 6-1 Planning Commission recommendation in early June 2026. The ordinance strikes by-right data center development in industrial districts and substitutes a special use permit process requiring a public hearing. County officials had noted during the process that a moratorium would not survive legal challenge under a 1978 AG opinion and 2001 Virginia Supreme Court precedent. Less than 1% of Shenandoah County is currently zoned industrial.
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In effect
Warren County VA
Warren County, VA · Effective 2026-04-15 · Warren County Zoning Text Amendment (application filed 2026-04-15; public hearing scheduled 2026-07-08) (2026-04-15)
Removes by-right data-center development; requires a special-use permit in industrial zones with site-specific noise, lighting, water-use, and 300-ft residential setback conditions; bans data centers in agricultural districts.
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In effect
Shenandoah County VA
Shenandoah County, VA · Effective 2026-03-24 · Shenandoah BoS resolution 2026-03-24 (2026-03-24)
One-year pause on accepting and processing data-center rezoning, special-use, and site-plan applications while county drafts use-specific standards covering noise, water, and rural-character impacts.
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In effect
Spotsylvania County Data Center Design Standards Ordinance
Spotsylvania County, VA · Effective 2025-12-09 · Ordinance 23-190 (2025-12-09)
Adopts 300-ft buffer, 400-ft residential setback, 75-ft height cap, plus force-and-effect grandfather clause for previously approved rezonings.
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In effect
Stafford County Data Center Zoning Ordinance + Comp Plan Amendment
Stafford County, VA · Effective 2025-10-21 · O25-29 / R25-208 (2025-10-21)
Requires 750-ft setback from residential property lines, 100-ft from commercial; mandates CUP; adds tree-preservation, noise, and buffer rules; grandfathers approvals on or before 2025-10-21.
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Proposed / pending
Loudoun County VA Data Center Standards & Locations Phase 2 Project Plan
Loudoun County, VA · Effective 2025-09-16 · Phase 2 Project Plan approved 2025-09-16
On September 16, 2025, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved the Phase 2 Project Plan for Data Center Standards & Locations, directing staff to draft additional Comprehensive Plan changes and use-specific zoning standards covering substation siting, energy/emissions, and noise. The substantive Phase 2 ZOAM (referenced as ZOAM-2025-0001) was not yet adopted as of June 2026.
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In effect
Culpeper County CUP Requirement for Data Centers on Industrial Land (outside Tec
Culpeper County, VA · Effective 2025-09-02 · ZOA 2025-09-02 (2025-09-02)
Requires conditional use permit (CUP) for new data centers on light and heavy industrial land (2,200+ acres on 140 parcels of light industrial; 867 acres heavy industrial) OUTSIDE the Culpeper Technology Zone — data centers in CTZ remain by-right. Does not apply to vested/already-approved projects.
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In effect
Spotsylvania County End of By-Right Data-Center Zoning
Spotsylvania County, VA · Effective 2025-03-25 · BoS action December 2025 (Ordinance adopted ~Dec 9, 2025; design guidelines adopted Feb 24, 2026) (2025-03-25)
Adds data centers as Special Use (requiring Planning Commission hearing) in commercial and office zones; data centers remain by-right permitted uses in Industrial 1 (I-1) and Industrial 2 (I-2) districts — by-right development was NOT universally ended.
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In effect
Loudoun County Sheriff's Office ALPR General Order 401.8
Loudoun County, VA · Effective 2025-03-24 · LCSO General Order 401
Loudoun County Sheriff's Office General Order 401.8 (Operations) governs Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR / Flock Safety) use by LCSO personnel. Last reviewed March 24, 2025 with the next review scheduled for November 1, 2027. The order requires data-sharing among other agencies to be governed by MOUs, states that ALPR data is owned by LCSO and is not sold to third parties, and is updated to reflect VA legislative changes effective July 1, 2025.
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In effect
Fairfax County Data Center Zoning Ordinance Amendment
Fairfax County, VA · Effective 2024-09-10 · ZOA (Data Centers, 2024-09-10) (2024-09-10)
Adds use-specific standards for data centers covering noise, building design, and proximity to residential uses; tightens permitted districts.
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In effect
Arlington County VA ACPD Automated License Plate Reader
Arlington County, VA · Effective 2024-04-01 · ACPD General Order 605 (ALPR policy) (2024-04-01)
Arlington County Police Department adopted formal ALPR governance policy with 30-day data retention limit, restricted access, audit trails, and required reasonable-suspicion or investigative purpose for queries; aligns with Virginia Code §15.2-1723.1.
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In effect
Fauquier Vint Hill PCID Large-Building Special Exception Amendment
Fauquier County, VA · Effective 2024-03-14 · ZOA (March 2024) (2024-03-14)
Requires Board special-exception approval for any building >50,000 sq ft in the Vint Hill PCID, effectively capturing all data centers.
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In effect
Fauquier County Data Center Development Policy Guidance (BP/PCID only)
Fauquier County, VA · Effective 2023-12-14 · BoS Resolution 2023-12-14 (2023-12-14)
Restricts data centers to Business Park and PCID overlay districts and prohibits siting adjacent to residential, parks, schools, or medical uses.
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In effect
Culpeper County Repeal of Brandy Station Technology Zone
Culpeper County, VA · Effective 2023-01-03 · BoS resolution (Jan 3, 2023) (2023-01-03)
Unanimously eliminated the Brandy Station Technology Zone, removing tax incentives for data-center / tech development near Culpeper Battlefields State Park.
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In effect
FCPS formal generative AI restrictions — elementary ban, secondary authorization required
Fairfax County Public Schools, VA · Effective 2026-08-01 · Fairfax County Public Schools School Board formal policy action on generative AI restrictions (adopted July 16, 2026; effective SY 2026-27)
The Fairfax County School Board voted on July 16, 2026 to adopt formal generative AI restrictions that take effect for the 2026-27 school year. Elementary students are prohibited from using any generative AI tools. Secondary students may only use generative AI if they receive written authorization from a principal, superintendent, or designee for a specific project. Pre-K and kindergarten students are banned from using school-issued tablets and laptops, with exceptions for students whose IEP, 504 plan, or multilingual learner status requires device access. The restrictions supersede the district's prior interim guidance (FCPS Forward: AI & The Future of Learning, September 2025), which had approved certain tools including Adobe Express and a ChatGPT pilot for teachers. Parental opt-out for school-issued devices and a YouTube content firewall were also under consideration.
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In effect
Fredericksburg VA Axon AI package w/ Draft One carve-out (Jul. 14, 2026)
Fredericksburg, VA · Effective 2026-07-14 · Fredericksburg, VA City Council authorization, July 14, 2026, of $1.9M/5-year Axon AI package (Draft One with critical-incident bar, translation, transcription, in-car cameras, mobile ALPR)
The Fredericksburg, Virginia City Council authorized a $1.9 million, five-year package with Axon on July 14, 2026 that adds AI capabilities across the police department: Draft One (Axon's generative AI police-report drafting tool), AI translation, transcription, in-car cameras, and mobile license plate readers. The package carries one notable guardrail: Draft One is optional for officers and is barred from use in critical incidents — meaning reports on the most serious events must be written by humans. Otherwise this entry indexes a government AI deployment.
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In effect
Bristol VA PD facial recognition program (first VA local agency)
Bristol, VA · Effective 2026-06-01 · Bristol VA PD General Order 9-09, Facial Recognition Technology (eff. June 1, 2026); Va. Code § 15.2-1723.2 (eff. July 1, 2026); Clearview AI via LexisNexis
The Bristol, Virginia Police Department launched a facial recognition technology (FRT) program on June 1, 2026, governed by a 27-page General Order 9-09. Bristol PD is the first known local law-enforcement agency in Virginia to adopt FRT following the state's shift from an effective ban to an authorization-with-safeguards regime under Va. Code § 15.2-1723.2. The program uses Clearview AI, accessed through LexisNexis. Bristol PD publicly posts its facial recognition activity record at bristolva.gov as required by state law. Under Va. Code § 15.2-1723.2, local agencies that use FR must publish a policy, publish an annual report by April 1 each year, maintain confidentiality of FR data, and restrict access to warrant-authorized queries. The DCJS reported that NO Virginia local law-enforcement agencies used FR in 2023 or 2024 (prior to the July 1, 2026 authorization change).
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In effect
Spotsylvania County VA Data Center Design Standards
Spotsylvania County, VA · Effective 2025-12-09 · Design standards adopted 2025-12-09 after the SUP motion failed at both the 2025-03-25 and 2025-08-13 sessions
On December 9, 2025, the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors approved design standards for data centers in industrial districts, after the Board deadlocked 3-3 in March 2025 on a stronger special-use permit requirement and a 4-3 August 2025 vote declined to require SUPs. The December standards govern data-center building design in industrial zones without imposing the SUP gate that supervisors split on earlier in the year.
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In effect
Prince William County VA Public Schools
Manassas, VA · Effective 2025-09-17 · Prince William County VA Public Schools — Generative AI Use Procedures (2025-09-17)
District-wide procedures authorize Microsoft Copilot for staff and grades 9-12; ban use of consumer AI with student data; AI disclosure expected on graded work; AI cannot make special-education or discipline decisions without human review.
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In effect
Fairfax County VA Public Schools
Fairfax, VA · Effective 2025-09-01 · Fairfax County VA Public Schools — FCPS Forward: AI & The Future of Learning (Interim) (2025-09-01)
Interim guidance while a board-adopted policy is drafted (Oct 2025). Approved tools include Adobe Express, Google Storybook/LM, ChatGPT for Teachers pilot configured not to train OpenAI models; students cannot be compelled to interact with AI.
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In effect
Loudoun County VA Public Schools
Ashburn, VA · Effective 2025-08-26 · Loudoun County VA Public Schools — AI Use Guidelines (2025-08-26)
Largest NoVA-suburban district adopted guidelines: vetted enterprise AI tools, parental opt-in for student AI account creation grades 6-8, AI cannot be sole basis for placement or discipline, AI literacy integrated into K-12 ITRT curriculum.
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In effect
Arlington VA Public Schools
Arlington, VA · Effective 2024-10-24 · Arlington VA Public Schools — Guidance on AI Use in APS (2024-10-24)
Districtwide guidance authorizes vetted enterprise tools (Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini for Education), bars student PII entry into consumer AI, requires teacher disclosure to families when AI is used in instructional design, and prohibits AI as sole basis for grading or discipline.
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In effect
Richmond VA PD FR Policy
Richmond, VA · Effective 2024-07-01 · Richmond PD Gen. Order, Facial Recognition (2024); Va. Code 15.2-1723.2
Richmond Police Department general order on facial recognition technology required under Virginia state law (Va. Code 15.2-1723.2), restricting use to authorized purposes and case-tied queries.
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In effect
Virginia Beach PD FR Policy
Virginia Beach, VA · Effective 2024-06-01 · Virginia Beach PD Gen. Order, Facial Recognition (2024); Va. Code 15.2-1723.2
Virginia Beach Police Department general order on facial recognition operationalizing Virginia Code 15.2-1723.2 limits.
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In effect
Norfolk Flock ALPR Policy
Norfolk, VA · Effective 2024-05-01 · Norfolk PD Directive, Flock Safety ALPR (2024)
Norfolk Police Department directive governing use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras, including retention, sharing, and audit requirements.
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Proposed / pending
Loudoun County VA considering data center moratorium
Loudoun County, VA · Loudoun County, VA Board of Supervisors 6-1 vote (July 30, 2026) directing staff to prepare moratorium options; staff report due September 15, 2026
On July 30, 2026, the Loudoun County, Virginia Board of Supervisors voted 6-1 to direct county staff to prepare options for a temporary moratorium on new data center applications. If enacted, the pause would halt all new data center applications, site plans, and substation permit approvals while the county completes its Phase 2 Zoning Ordinance Amendment. The board also rejected a proposed 780 MW Active Infrastructure Campus (approximately 3.25 million square feet) at the same meeting. County Attorney Leo Rogers cautioned that a blanket moratorium likely lacks legal standing under Virginia law, which requires each rezoning or special exception to be considered individually. Supervisor Briskman stated 'The community has basically been begging us to do something about the unchecked growth of data centers.' Staff are directed to present options by the September 15, 2026 board meeting.
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Blocked / in litigation
Warrenton Amazon Data Center Fight
Warrenton, VA · Town of Warrenton SUP (Feb. 2023); Citizens for Fauquier County v. Town of Warrenton
Warrenton's zoning requires a special use permit for data centers; in February 2023 the Town Council narrowly approved one for an Amazon facility. Citizens for Fauquier County sued over both the zoning approval and related public-records (FOIA) access. In 2024, the Virginia Court of Appeals reversed the trial court and sided with the citizens' group on the FOIA matter, ordering review of over 3,100 withheld emails. The underlying land-use challenge and construction delays continued into 2025–2026.
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Proposed / pending
PWC DCOZOD Reform (DPA2026-00006)
Prince William County, VA · PWC DPA2026-00006 (DCOZOD amendment), BOS direction June 9, 2026
Prince William County's Planning Commission voted 5-2 on July 15, 2026 to recommend approval of DPA2026-00006, a comprehensive plan and zoning text amendment that would substantially reduce and redefine the Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District (DCOZOD) created in 2016. The amendment would end by-right data center development in the county by requiring applicants to qualify through one of five county-defined eligibility pathways. Projects already built, under construction, or with site plans past the quality-control threshold would be grandfathered. The Board of County Supervisors has not yet voted; that action is expected late 2026 or early 2027.
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Proposed / pending
Harrisonburg VA Flock termination pledge (vote Jul. 28, 2026)
Harrisonburg, VA · Harrisonburg, VA City Council pledge to end Flock Safety contract; formal vote scheduled July 28, 2026
Harrisonburg, Virginia City Council members, including Mayor Deanna Reed, have pledged to end the city's contract with Flock Safety, whose license plate reader cameras operate in the city. The contract expires in late July 2026, and the council scheduled a formal vote for July 28, 2026. If the council follows through, Harrisonburg joins the 2026 wave of cities dropping Flock. Indexed as proposed until the formal vote occurs.
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Proposed / pending
City of Manassas VA Data Center Zoning Standards
Manassas, VA · City of Manassas, Va., Ordinance O-2026-455 (zoning text amendment; first reading approved Feb 9, 2026)
Manassas is amending its zoning ordinance (Ordinance O-2026-455) to add development standards for data centers and other large industrial uses in the city's I-1 light-industrial and I-2 heavy-industrial districts. The City Council unanimously approved the first reading on February 9, 2026; a second reading and final adoption vote were expected at a later meeting. Final adoption is not yet confirmed.
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Proposed / pending
Franklin County Zoning Rewrite (paused)
Franklin County, VA · Franklin County, Va., draft zoning rewrite (paused May 2026)
Franklin County, Virginia is rewriting its zoning ordinance for the first time since 1988, and data centers are the flashpoint. The draft would bar future data centers from using private wells, set noise limits on cooling fans, and require sites with existing substations or transmission lines. After heavy public criticism, supervisors paused the rewrite to gather more feedback.
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Blocked / in litigation
PW Digital Gateway Litigation
Prince William County, VA · Oak Valley HOA et al. v. Prince William County (Va. Ct. App. Mar. 2026; appeal pending)
Courts voided Prince William County's December 2022 rezoning for the 2,100-acre Digital Gateway corridor of up to 37 data centers near Manassas Battlefield, finding the county violated state public-notice requirements. The Virginia Court of Appeals upheld that ruling on March 31, 2026. Following the ruling, Prince William County voted not to appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court, and developers also dropped their appeals, effectively ending the legal challenge.
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