> **PROPOSED: not yet in effect** · 2026-09-15
> Board voted Sep 15 2026 to consider the pause resolution; the Oct 20 vote was deferred to Nov 17 2026.

_Regulation · Permit · proposed_

# Loudoun County Proposes Pausing Board Action on Data Center and Substation Applications for up to 12 Months

Canonical ID: `65e7cb85-896a-4213-b68f-c7c551b39d1b`

- **Jurisdiction:** [Loudoun County](/locations/united-states/virginia/loudoun-county-virginia.md) (id: `bb7659a6-75a0-49d7-a636-33d724abbcd2`)
- **Kind:** `permit`
- **Status (derived):** proposed

Loudoun County's Board of Supervisors voted on Sep 15, 2026 to consider a resolution pausing its action on data center and electrical substation applications that need legislative approval for up to 12 months, the maximum under Virginia law, while the county finishes its review of data center standards and locations (expected summer 2027). The County Attorney had advised that a moratorium on data center approvals is not legal. Applications could still be filed and move through Planning Commission review. The vote set for Oct 20 was deferred to the Board's Nov 17, 2026 meeting. Proposal only; not adopted.

## Sources (3)

1. **Board of Supervisors to Defer Discussion of Proposed Pause on Some Data Center Applications to November 17** · https://www.loudoun.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/15443 · 2026-10-20
2. **Loudoun County board defers vote on data center pause** · https://www.loudountimes.com/news/business_and_economy/real_estate_and_development/county-board-defers-vote-on-data-center-pause/article_95602019-bdda-474f-819a-16d3d64645bf.html · 2026-10-20
3. **Loudoun County pushes back discussion on proposed data center pause** · https://wjla.com/news/local/loudoun-county-pushes-back-discussion-on-proposed-data-center-pause-virginia-electric-technology-ai · 2026-10-20

## Status history

- **proposed** · 2026-09-15 · Loudoun County news release, Oct 20 2026
    - Board voted Sep 15 2026 to consider the pause resolution; the Oct 20 vote was deferred to Nov 17 2026.

## Common questions

### What does Loudoun County Proposes Pausing Board Action on Data Center and Substation Applications for up to 12 Months cover?

[Loudoun County](/locations/loudoun-county-virginia.md)'s Board of Supervisors voted on Sep 15, 2026 to consider a resolution pausing its action on data center and electrical substation applications that need legislative approval for up to 12 months, the maximum under [Virginia](/locations/virginia.md) law, while the county finishes its review of data center standards and locations (expected summer 2027). The County Attorney had advised that a moratorium on data center approvals is not legal. Applications could still be filed and move through Planning Commission review. The vote set for Oct 20 was deferred to the Board's Nov 17, 2026 meeting. Proposal only; not adopted.

### Where does Loudoun County Proposes Pausing Board Action on Data Center and Substation Applications for up to 12 Months apply?

Loudoun County Proposes Pausing Board Action on Data Center and Substation Applications for up to 12 Months is recorded as a permitting requirement applying in [Loudoun County](/locations/loudoun-county-virginia.md) on the DEPLOY registry.

### Is Loudoun County Proposes Pausing Board Action on Data Center and Substation Applications for up to 12 Months still in effect?

Loudoun County Proposes Pausing Board Action on Data Center and Substation Applications for up to 12 Months is proposed but not yet in effect; subject to revision before adoption.

### What types of robots does Loudoun County Proposes Pausing Board Action on Data Center and Substation Applications for up to 12 Months apply to?

Loudoun County Proposes Pausing Board Action on Data Center and Substation Applications for up to 12 Months is recorded as cross-cutting on the DEPLOY registry, meaning it does not single out one robot form factor. Operators of any covered robot type in [Loudoun County](/locations/loudoun-county-virginia.md) should review the underlying primary sources for applicability.


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