Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Annika Ashton
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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(This is the first of two required public hearings.
The second public hearing will be held on December 8, 2026.)
MOTION TO ENACT Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE-SCALE DATA CENTERS WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF BROWARD COUNTY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Commissioner Lamar P. Fisher)
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Why Action is Necessary
Action by the Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”) is necessary to enact an Ordinance.
What Action Accomplishes
Allows for the Commission’s consideration of the proposed Ordinance.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Chapter No. 2026-65, Laws of Florida (Senate Bill 484), established a regulatory framework for large-scale data centers in Florida while expressly preserving the authority of local governments to regulate land development involving such facilities. The development of large-scale data centers, generally defined as data centers with an anticipated monthly peak electrical load of 50 megawatts or greater, presents unique planning, infrastructure, environmental, and land use compatibility considerations. Further evaluation is warranted to determine whether the County’s existing land development regulations adequately address such development.
The proposed Ordinance establishes a temporary moratorium on the development of large-scale data centers within the unincorporated areas of the County, including the Broward Municipal Services District (“BMSD”), to provide the County with sufficient time to evaluate these considerations and determine whether amendments to the Broward County Code of Ordinances are necessary. During the moratorium, the County would temporarily suspend the acceptance, processing, and approval of development applications relating to large-scale data centers.
The moratorium would remain in effect for one year or until amendments to the Broward County Code of Ordinances establishing regulations governing large-scale data centers become effective, whichever occurs first. The proposed Ordinance requires two public hearings prior to enactment.
Timely notice has been published in accordance with the applicable requirements to permit the Commission’s consideration of the proposed Ordinance.
Source of Additional Information
Maite Azcoitia, Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Per the Office of Management and Budget, the estimated impact on the budget does not exceed the threshold required for a Fiscal Impact Statement.