Baltimore County Halts Data Center Development

Lawmakers seek to understand impacts as other counties also pause permitting.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Baltimore County has announced a temporary halt on data center permitting and development as lawmakers work to better understand the impacts of these facilities on the local community and environment.

Why it matters

Data centers have become increasingly common across Maryland, but some counties are now pausing new development to assess issues like energy usage, water consumption, and effects on the local tax base and job market.

The details

The temporary halt in Baltimore County follows similar moves in other Maryland counties. Lawmakers want to take a closer look at the implications of data center growth, including the facilities' significant energy and water demands, as well as their economic impact on the local area.

  • The temporary halt on data center permitting and development in Baltimore County was announced on February 6, 2026.

The players

Baltimore County

A county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, just north of the city of Baltimore.

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What’s next

County officials have not provided a timeline for when the pause on data center development will be lifted, stating they want to thoroughly review the impacts before making any decisions.

The takeaway

This pause in Baltimore County reflects a growing trend across Maryland as local governments seek to better understand and manage the rapid expansion of data centers in their communities.