Roanoke City VA Data Center Special Exception Zoning Ordinance (July 2026)
Roanoke, VA · 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.
Technical detail
Roanoke City Council unanimous vote 2026-07-07. Mechanism: zoning ordinance requiring special exception permit for data centers (public hearing before Planning Commission and City Council). Roanoke is an independent city — not part of any county. Companion to broader Virginia data-center regulatory wave; distinct from any Roanoke County action.
Who is protected: Roanoke City, VA residents
Who must comply: Data center developers and operators seeking permits or approvals within Roanoke City limits, VA
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Effective date | 2026-07-07 |
| Enacted | 2026-07-07 |
| Citation | Roanoke City, VA City Council unanimous vote, July 7, 2026, data center special exception zoning ordinance |
| Enforced by | Roanoke City, VA government |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| Last verified | 2026-07-15 |
| Official source | Roanoke City Council passes new rules for data centers — WSLS 10 ↗ |
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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