An 80-day moratorium temporarily halted data center projects while the County prepared its ordinance; it later expired when the new ordinances were approved. 80-day moratorium

Each future project must be considered by the County Commission after a public hearing. considered by the commission after a public hearing

Data centers are allowed only in the Heavy Industrial zoning district. only in the Heavy Industrial zoning district

Buildings must be at least 600 feet from an existing home; a 300-foot setback and buffer is required next to residential- or agricultural-zoned property, with additional setbacks for nearby commercial and industrial properties. 600 feet from an existing home

Applicants must complete a noise study; noise at a residential property line is capped at 65 dB(A) from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and 55 dB(A) from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., while the limit next to other zoning districts is 70 dB(A). Sound-reducing walls and building materials are also required, and generators and related equipment are subject to residential setbacks and evergreen screening. noise measured at the property line

Before permits, developers must submit a power, water, and broadband impact study and obtain written confirmation from affected utility providers that electricity, water, sewer, and natural-gas capacity will be adequate at project completion. No permits could be issued until affected utility providers confirmed in writing

Developers must enter binding agreements to pay for and complete necessary utility extensions or improvements, with monitoring, reporting, and enforcement provisions. binding agreements with utility providers

Facilities expected to use more than 10 megawatts of electricity must submit an energy and sustainability plan addressing efficiency, carbon intensity, and environmental effects. more than 10 megawatts

Closed-loop cooling is prioritized; projects proposing water-cooled equipment must install water reclamation and reuse systems and show that their cooling technology is the least water-intensive feasible option for the site. water reclamation and reuse system

Facilities must follow applicable utility water-use limits and efficiency requirements; private wells, direct connections to surface water or aquifers, and private septic systems are prohibited, and public sewer service is required. prohibit private wells

Projects must use dark-sky-compatible outdoor lighting and limit light spill across property lines. Public-facing security fencing cannot be chain link, barbed wire, razor wire, or solid metal panels; landscaping or decorative materials must reduce visual impacts from public roads. dark-sky-compatible outdoor lighting

Backup generators are generally limited to emergency use and must meet testing, commissioning, performance, and emissions-control standards. limited to emergency use

Before receiving a Certificate of Occupancy, facilities must prepare an emergency response plan with local fire and emergency services and install appropriate fire-suppression systems; operators may also be required to participate in local emergency drills. before receiving a Certificate of Occupancy

Before permits, developers must submit a facility closure and site-restoration plan covering equipment and structure removal, hazardous-material disposal, soil and groundwater testing, cleanup, and restoration. plan for eventually closing the facility

Developers must provide a bond, escrow account, letter of credit, or other approved financial guarantee covering full decommissioning and restoration costs; it is not released until inspectors verify cleanup, and the County can use it if the developer defaults. financial guarantee

Violations may incur fines of up to $1,000 per day; continued noncompliance may lead to business-license or occupancy-certificate suspension or revocation, and additional permits or occupancy certificates may be withheld while violations remain unresolved. fine of $1,000 a day

Data centers are permitted in the Heavy Industrial zoning district, but not in other zoning districts under the reported rules. Allowed only in the Heavy Industrial zoning district.