St. Johns County Approves a Data Center Moratorium Through Oct. 31, 2027, Joining Nassau and Clay in Northeast Florida

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - St. Johns County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday, Nov. 3, to adopt a moratorium on large-scale data centers that lasts until Oct. 31, 2027, according to Jacksonville Today. The pause takes effect immediately and gives the county a year to study how such facilities could affect its water, electricity and other infrastructure. St. Johns is the third Northeast Florida county to adopt a moratorium, joining Nassau and Clay, the outlet reported.

Jacksonville Today did not report a pending data center application in the county. In June, Commissioner Ann Taylor said the county should act before any developer submits a proposal. The vote follows months of discussion among commissioners.

What the Moratorium Does

According to Jacksonville Today, the moratorium blocks large-scale data centers in St. Johns County for at least a year. The article does not define "large-scale," and it does not list which permits or approvals the pause covers. Readers who want the exact language should review the ordinance on the county's website or contact the county.

During the moratorium, the county will study the potential effects of data centers on its utilities and infrastructure, the report said. Commissioners raised concerns about the area's water and electricity supply. Some also questioned whether the power grid could handle such development.

What Commissioners Said

Taylor has argued for acting before any developer arrives. At a June 16 meeting, Jacksonville Today reported she said, "By doing nothing, St. Johns County has a massive target on our back." She also cited the water and electricity data centers use, and she argued that bans in neighboring counties could push projects toward counties without them.

Commissioner Christian Whitehurst was skeptical in June and opposed the idea the month before, according to the outlet. He later supported the pause, and in the Nov. 3 coverage he was quoted as saying, "To post AI-generated memes opposing data centers is the height of hypocrisy." The article did not provide more context for that remark beyond his support for the moratorium.

At the June meeting, County Attorney Rich Komando said state law could limit the county's ability to block data centers, and he planned to research the issue, according to Jacksonville Today. The county administrator's office was also preparing a presentation on data center effects. Those two steps, a legal review and a presentation, were the county's early groundwork on the issue.

Where Other Counties Stand

According to Jacksonville Today's Nov. 3 report, Nassau and Clay counties have approved moratoriums, while Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties have passed bans. The June report said Nassau commissioners passed a one-year moratorium on June 9. Under that pause, Nassau planned public workshops with experts on environmental, water and power grid effects.

News4JAX reported in May that Nassau's proposal would temporarily stop the county from accepting, reviewing or approving applications tied to data center facilities. The proposal defined a data center as a building or group of buildings housing computer systems used for remote storage, processing or distribution of large amounts of data. Nassau County Attorney Denise May said at the time that the measure was not a ban and was meant to give the county time for planning and regulation.

Jacksonville Has Not Acted Yet

No legislation has been filed to ban data centers in Jacksonville, Jacksonville Today reported, though several City Council members have floated the idea. The city and its utility JEA have been discussing large power requests from data center developers, according to earlier Jax Times reporting on JEA's pending requests. The Nassau County Commission has also reviewed a draft report on data center rules, according to earlier Jax Times coverage.

For St. Johns County residents, the reports reviewed did not describe any change to utility rates. The county has said it will study impacts during the pause. Details on public workshops or hearings were not included in the reports, so residents should check the county's meeting calendar.

What Happens Next

The moratorium will remain in place until Oct. 31, 2027 unless commissioners act earlier, based on the reported expiration date. The county's study of water, electricity and infrastructure impacts is expected to guide any permanent regulations, according to the reports. Commissioners have not announced a timeline for that study, and no date for a follow-up meeting was reported.