Loudoun Supervisors Vote to Advance a Pause on Data Center Applications as County Attorney Says a Moratorium Is Not Legal

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted at its September 15, 2026 meeting in favor of future consideration of a resolution that would pause its action on legislative data center and substation applications for up to 12 months, according to the county’s own news release. The vote follows a legal opinion from the County Attorney indicating that a moratorium on data center approvals is not legal. The Board is to consider the resolution on October 20, 2026, and to consider amendments to its grandfathering rules on October 6, 2026.

Data Center Dynamics reports the board voted 7-1 on a motion to pause applications for 12 months and that the pause takes effect immediately; the county’s release describes only a vote to consider a resolution, with enactment still ahead. The October 6 outcome was not retrieved. The earlier vote to prepare a moratorium is in 2026-07-22–loudoun-county-va-moratorium-blocked-by-state-law.