Prince William County, VA Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District Reform (DPA2026-00006)

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.

Technical detail

DPA2026-00006 (Comprehensive Plan Amendment + Zoning Text Amendment). Planning Commission 5-2 vote to recommend approval on July 15, 2026 (preceded by June 9, 2026 Board direction from Supervisor Gordy, Brentsville District). The recommended amendment limits the DCOZOD to parcels meeting one or more of five county-defined eligibility pathways; projects with approved site plans above the quality-control threshold remain in the overlay (grandfathered). Board of County Supervisors vote pending as of August 2026; timing late 2026 or early 2027. The DCOZOD was originally created in 2016 to attract data center investment to the Route 28 Tech Corridor and surrounding areas; the 2026 reform follows community pushback over density, grid strain, and water consumption.

Who is protected: Prince William County, VA residents

Who must comply: Data center developers seeking new approvals in Prince William County, VA

Key facts

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