Loudoun County Tightens Data Center Application Requirements

Loudoun County, Virginia, added documentation requirements for large data centers seeking legislative land use approval, including utility data on substations and voltage plus sound and environmental assessments. The threshold is facilities expected to need at least 100 MW under a 2026 Virginia law.

• Rules apply to current and future legislative applications
• High energy use threshold is at least 100 MW from a retail utility
• Sound assessment required for homes and schools within 500 feet
• New data centers have needed a special exception since March 2025