Data Centers & Crypto Mining in Albemarle County, VA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Albemarle County, Virginia.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Albemarle County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Data Center Zoning & Siting

Albemarle County's zoning ordinance treats data centers as their own use category with dedicated siting rules. Sec. 18-5.1.65 requires every data center to run on public water and public sewer and pushes buildings and equipment well back from neighbors: at least 200 feet from all lot lines and 500 feet from the Rural Areas zoning district, in Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville.

Albemarle County Data Center Siting Standards

Significant Restrictions

Albemarle County Code § 18-5.1.65(B)(1), (C)

B.Minimum development requirements for data centers.1.Data centers must be served by public water and public sewer. ... C.Setbacks—Data center buildings and all associated equipment and accessory structures (such as generators, HVAC, and battery backup) must be set back at least (i) 200 feet from all lot lines and (ii) 500 feet from the Rural Areas zoning district.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Data Center Noise Limits

Albemarle County's zoning ordinance sets a hard noise ceiling on data center backup generators. Under Sec. 18-5.1.65(D), generators must be enclosed to hold sound to 70 dBA measured 23 feet away, routine testing is confined to weekday daytime hours, and every piece of onsite equipment must still meet the county's general outdoor noise standards at the lot line, in Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville.

Albemarle County Data Center Generator Noise Cap

Some Restrictions

Albemarle County Code § 18-5.1.65(D)

D.Generators.1.Routine generator exercise maintenance is limited to Monday—Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.2.Generators must be enclosed in a level 3 enclosure or other enclosure limiting sound to 70 dBA measured 23 feet from the generator. All equipment onsite must comply with Section 4.18, including maximum sound levels at all lot lines.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Albemarle County ordinances

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