HB511
Data centers; industrial zoning.
Status:
Consolidated
Latest Action:
Jan. 23, 2026
House: Incorporated by Counties, Cities and Towns (HB153-Thomas) (Voice Vote)
Chief Patron:
John Chilton McAuliff (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Data centers; industrial zoning.
Requires a locality to review and amend its zoning ordinance to (i) designate data centers as industrial uses for zoning purposes; (ii) review the locations of zones allowing data centers by right, and adjust the zoning map, if needed, considering proximity to residential areas; (iii) review the minimum requirements in ... (More) the zoning ordinance, such as setbacks and building heights, for the purpose of mitigating negative impacts on residential or other sensitive areas and consider adding requirements specific to data centers as needed; (iv) identify optimal areas for data center development in the locality, including locations that are suitable from the locality's perspective as well as the industry's perspective; (v) consider zoning ordinance changes to reduce the likelihood of noisy data centers, including through limiting allowable locations and requiring sound modeling, and prohibit the constant low-frequency noise of data centers from reaching residential areas; and (vi) require commitments from data centers making zoning requests to sufficiently mitigate negative impacts on any nearby residential areas. The provisions of the bill shall apply only to localities where data centers are already addressed in the locality's zoning ordinance or where a locality is revising its zoning ordinance to include data centers. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/12/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102274D
- 01/12/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
- 01/21/2026 - House: Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
- 01/21/2026 - House: Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
- 01/22/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends incorporating (Voice Vote)
- 01/22/2026 - House: Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
- 01/23/2026 - House: Incorporated by Counties, Cities and Towns (HB153-Thomas) (Voice Vote)
