A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2295.3, relating to data centers; industrial zoning.
HB511 would require Virginia localities, when updating their zoning ordinances, to treat data centers as industrial uses for zoning purposes. The bill directs local governments to review where data centers may be located by right, consider proximity to residential areas, and adjust zoning maps and development standards as needed. It also instructs localities to identify suitable areas for data center development and to consider ordinance changes that would reduce adverse effects, including noise impacts.
The bill further requires localities to consider specific mitigation measures for data centers, such as setbacks, building height limits, sound modeling, and commitments from applicants to reduce negative impacts on nearby homes and other sensitive areas. It defines data center by reference to existing Virginia law and applies only in localities that already address data centers in their zoning ordinances or are revising their ordinances to do so.
HB511 would add a new section to the Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2295.3, creating a statewide zoning directive for localities dealing with data centers. It would not directly regulate data center operations statewide, but it would require affected localities to amend zoning ordinances and maps to classify data centers as industrial uses and to incorporate mitigation standards when reviewing land use rules. The practical effect would be to shape where data centers can be built, how close they may be to residential areas, and what conditions may be imposed on development approvals.
The available legislative history suggests the bill was not advanced as a standalone measure and was instead incorporated into HB153 in committee by voice vote. That indicates the underlying policy was at least acceptable enough to be folded into another bill, but the absence of recorded debate or roll-call votes limits the ability to gauge broader support or opposition. Overall, the bill appears to reflect a regulatory approach aimed at balancing data center growth with neighborhood protections.
The main points of contention are likely to be the extent of local zoning control and the burden placed on data center development. Supporters would likely favor the bill’s emphasis on protecting residential areas from noise, setbacks, and other impacts, while opponents may view the industrial-use designation and mitigation requirements as restrictive or as limiting local flexibility and economic development opportunities. The bill’s focus on low-frequency noise and required commitments from applicants suggests concerns about the siting and operational impacts of data centers, especially near homes and other sensitive uses.