Manatee County FL 12-month data center moratorium (Ord. 26-42)
Manatee County, FL — 12-Month Data Center / Large-Load Moratorium (Ordinance 26-42, Adopted Oct. 8, 2026)
Manatee County, FL · Manatee County, FL, proposed 12-month large-load/data center moratorium ordinance (first hearing Sept. 22, 2026; final hearing scheduled Oct. 6, 2026)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- October 8, 2027
- Applies to
- Data center developers and large-load facility operators seeking applications in Manatee County, FL
- Enforced by
- Manatee County Board of County Commissioners; Manatee County Planning Department
Manatee County, Florida adopted a 12-month moratorium on new applications for building permits, site plans, development orders, rezonings and other approvals for data centers and similar large-load facilities in unincorporated areas. Commissioners approved it on Oct. 8, 2026 after a second public hearing, giving staff time to write rules on electricity and water demand, noise, location and setbacks.
Who is protected: Manatee County, FL residents
Legal detail
Manatee County (FL) BOCC — proposed 12-month moratorium ordinance on 'large-load customers or facilities with substantial electrical, water, wastewater or other utility demands' (building permits, site plans, rezones, comprehensive plan amendments; county staff also cite development orders and development agreements). Staff directed to draft July 28, 2026 following SB 484 (effective July 1, 2026). Planning Commission reviewed draft Sept. 17, 2026; BOCC first public hearing/first reading Tuesday Sept. 22, 2026 (no commissioner discussion; one resident spoke in favor); second hearing for final approval on the Oct. 6, 2026 agenda. The earlier 'unanimous' WMNF-reported vote (posted Sept. 15, 2026) was a consent-agenda motion (McCann/Kruse), not adoption of the ordinance. NOT ESTABLISHED: ordinance number; exact start/end dates if adopted.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Manatee County, FL |
|---|---|
| Level | County |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | October 8, 2026 |
| Citation | Manatee County, FL, proposed 12-month large-load/data center moratorium ordinance (first hearing Sept. 22, 2026; final hearing scheduled Oct. 6, 2026) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| News report | 12-Month Data Center Moratorium Approved By Manatee Commissioners — Patch (Oct. 9, 2026) |
Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere
- Superior WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Dane County WI Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- Madison WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Manitowoc County WI Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Dayton OH data center moratorium (180-day, Apr 2026) · In effect
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