Rockdale County, GA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height (M-1/M-2)
- 85 feet, excluding rooftop mechanical equipment
- Use category
- Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting
- Supplemental standard
- Sec. 218-13(o) applies on top of district rules
- Enforcing agency
- Department of Planning and Development
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine or 60 days jail
Summary
In unincorporated Rockdale County, a data center falls under the zoning code's 'Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting and related services' use, which the Unified Development Ordinance caps at 85 feet in height, rooftop mechanical equipment excluded, on M-1 or M-2 industrial-zoned land. On any other zoning district, that district's own height limit governs instead.
(o)Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting and related services.(1)Maximum building height: 85 feet, excluding rooftop mechanical equipment when building is located on property zoned M-1 or M-2. For all other zoning districts, the stated applicable height requirement for the zoning district in question shall apply.
Full Breakdown
' Section 218-13(o) sets the controlling dimensional standard: a maximum building height of 85 feet, excluding rooftop mechanical equipment, when the site is zoned M-1 (light industrial) or M-2 (heavy industrial). The table of permitted uses lists 'Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting and Related Services' with a 'Yes' in the supplemental-regulations column, meaning Section 218-13(o) applies on top of the district's own use permission, and marks the use permitted (P) in the M-1 and M-2 industrial districts and several commercial and office districts.
Outside M-1 and M-2, the ordinance drops back to whatever maximum height already applies to that particular zoning district, rather than the 85-foot figure. A developer proposing a data center anywhere in the unincorporated county must obtain a development permit and building permit from the Department of Planning and Development and satisfy this height cap before construction begins; the director enforces compliance under Section 202-9 of the UDO.
Violations & Fines
Building, using, or expanding a data center above the 85-foot cap on M-1 or M-2 land, or without the required development and building permits, is a UDO violation under Section 202-9, enforced through Section 110-1: the county can issue a citation to the Rockdale County Magistrate Court, and the general penalty in Section 1-11 allows a fine of up to $1,000.00, up to 60 days imprisonment, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a data center be in unincorporated Rockdale County?
Does Rockdale County treat a data center as a special zoning use?
What happens if a data center in Rockdale County exceeds the height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rockdale County
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