Stafford County VA Data Center Ordinance O25-29(R)
Stafford County VA Data Center Ordinance O25-29(R) — 750-ft Residential Setback
Stafford County, VA · O25-29 (initial) adopted 2025-10-21; O25-29(R) (with grandfathering) adopted 2025-12-02
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- December 2, 2025
- Applies to
- Data-center developers and operators seeking permits, rezonings, or approvals in Stafford County, VA
- Enforced by
- Stafford County, VA government
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.
Who is protected: Stafford County, VA residents
Legal detail
O25-29 (initial) adopted 2025-10-21; O25-29(R) (with grandfathering) adopted 2025-12-02. Amends Stafford County Code §28-39. 750-ft setback from residential, schools, and named rivers. Companion Comp Plan resolution R25-208.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Stafford County, VA |
|---|---|
| Level | County |
| Strength | Stronger |
| Enacted | December 2, 2025 |
| Citation | O25-29 (initial) adopted 2025-10-21; O25-29(R) (with grandfathering) adopted 2025-12-02 |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| Agency page | Stafford County VA — Planning and Zoning: Data Centers |
More AI rules in Stafford County, VA
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
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction. Every entry must carry a verifiable source.