Caroline County adopts one-year moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas

Caroline County commissioners on July 21 adopted a one-year moratorium on processing data-center applications in unincorporated parts of the county, directing Planning and Codes to deliver recommendations for new regulations by April 1, 2027.

County attorney Mr. Barrell summarized the resolution and the legal basis for it, noting that the moratorium “only refers to the unincorporated portions of Caroline County” and expressly does not affect incorporated municipalities. The board then voted by voice to adopt Resolution 2026-012.

Commissioner Porter, who seconded the motion, told residents the pause is meant to allow careful study: “We are better to put a moratorium in place that will allow us to study and to investigate where data centers could possibly go in this county,” he said, and urged staff to complete work promptly rather than waiting the full year.

Speakers emphasized the limited geographic scope of the county’s authority. Mr. Barrell explained that once a municipality is incorporated it governs its own zoning and that the county “does not have any authority over that municipality.” Several commissioners said the county will nevertheless try to produce model language that towns could use voluntarily.

Public commenters urged commissioners to study health and environmental effects as part of the review. One resident told the board that her “biggest concern is the cancer causing emissions” reported near some data centers and asked the county to evaluate air impacts. Brad Sears, a Federalsburg town commissioner, urged the county to prepare a model ordinance towns can adopt and to include environmental groups in the study.

The resolution directs staff to review existing county laws and submit a report and recommendations no later than April 1, 2027. The moratorium applies only to the unincorporated county; the board noted Federalsburg and other towns remain free to adopt their own rules. Commissioners also discussed state-level developments, including language in recent legislation requiring large energy users to fund necessary infrastructure upgrades.

The board adopted the resolution by voice vote. The transcript records the motion to adopt Resolution 2026-012, a second, and the chair’s call for ayes; the record does not include a roll-call tally in the public transcript. The moratorium will restrict county staff from processing or approving new data-center site plans or applications in unincorporated areas while the study proceeds.

Next steps: Planning and Codes will prepare the study and recommendations on regulatory options, and commissioners said they will engage neighboring jurisdictions, technical agencies and community stakeholders during the review.