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Regbase

The Data Center Divide

Sedgwick County

This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.

Mixed Data Center Policies

Sedgwick County has enacted temporary pauses on reviewing certain data-center applications and permits in unincorporated areas, delaying covered projects and expansions. The pauses are not permanent, exclude accessory data centers, and may end when new zoning rules take effect.

Rating from Kansas statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Sedgwick County.

Specific to Sedgwick County only.

current law · Unincorporated areas
Pauses data center land-use applications and building permits in unincorporated Sedgwick County for 90 days while officials review possible zoning rules.Sedgwick County Resolution No. 014-2026

What this means

The measure would temporarily pause data-center applications and related permits in unincorporated Sedgwick County while the county reviews zoning rules, delaying covered projects. The pause is limited in time and area and does not add operating rules, but it would make building or expanding data centers substantially harder during that period.

Timing

Ends
Apr 17, 2026

The temporary moratorium on data center land use applications and building permits in unincorporated Sedgwick County expires on 2026-04-17. An extension to 2026-06-11 was proposed but is not stated to have been adopted.

People behind it

  • Adopted the interim development control resolution suspending consideration of data center land-use applications and building permits, directed review of potential regulations, and is responsible for considering its extension.

  • Prepared to propose extending the interim development control resolution to June 11, 2026.

  • Responsible for developing and discussing zoning protocols related to data centers under the resolution.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Imposes a temporary 90-day moratorium in unincorporated Sedgwick County on accepting or processing applications to develop, construct, expand, or operate data centers, including related land-use applications and building permits; the moratorium expires April 17, 2026.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions5

  • The measure expressly recognizes data centers as a land use and allows them in the specified zoning districts, creating a defined path for new facilities to be built.

  • Data-center projects may proceed through the specified zoning or site-plan review process rather than being treated as unclassified or prohibited uses, subject to applicable development standards and approvals.

  • The authorized data-center use accommodates facility expansion or modification, subject to the stated zoning, site-plan, and performance requirements.

  • Related operational equipment and infrastructure needed for a data center may be developed as part of the data-center use when they comply with applicable standards.

  • Kansas SB 98 provides data centers with a 20-year exemption from state and local taxes.

Sources

current law · Unincorporated area
Extends the pause on reviewing and issuing permits for data centers in unincorporated Sedgwick County until December 25, 2026, or until new zoning rules take effect, with an exception for accessory data centers.Sedgwick County Resolution No. 162-2026

What this means

The measure would continue suspending data-center application review and permits on land in unincorporated Sedgwick County, making new projects and expansions that need permits substantially harder for now. The pause would end by December 25, 2026, or earlier if zoning rules take effect, and does not apply to data centers serving as accessory uses or structures, so it is a severe but temporary restriction, not a permanent ban.

Timing

Ends
The earlier of 2026-12-25 or the effective date of the applicable zoning code provisions

The interim development control suspends review of applications and permits for data centers. It does not apply to data centers functioning as accessory structures or accessory uses on the same lot as the principal use. All other provisions of Resolution No. 014-2026 remain unchanged.

People behind it

  • Adopted and extended the interim development control for data centers.

  • County Clerk directed to publish the resolution in the official county newspaper.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2

  • Suspends review of applications and issuance of permits for data centers within Sedgwick County’s unincorporated area until the earlier of December 25, 2026, or the effective date of new Sedgwick County and City of Wichita zoning-code provisions addressing data centers.

  • The suspension does not apply to data centers functioning as accessory structures or accessory uses on the same lot as the principal use they serve, as defined in the Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • The suspension of application review and permits does not apply to data centers that function as accessory structures or accessory uses on the same lot as the principal use they serve, as defined in the Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code.

Sources

current law · Unincorporated area
Extends the pause on data center development applications in unincorporated Sedgwick County until September 11, 2026, or until new zoning rules take effect, whichever comes first.Sedgwick County Resolution No. 095-2026

What this means

This extends a temporary pause on certain data-center applications in unincorporated Sedgwick County until September 11, 2026, or until new zoning rules take effect (extends the interim development control). That can significantly delay building or expanding data centers, though the pause is temporary rather than a permanent ban.

Timing

Ends
the earlier of 2026-09-11 or the Effective Date of applicable Zoning Code provisions for Data Centers

The interim development control suspending certain Data Center use applications and consideration expires upon the earlier of September 11, 2026, or the effective date of the applicable Sedgwick County and City of Wichita Zoning Code provisions. All other provisions of Resolution No. 014-2026 remain unchanged.

People behind it

  • Adopted and extended the interim development control through the resolution.

  • County Clerk directed to publish the resolution in the official county newspaper.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Continues an interim development control that suspends certain data-center use applications and their consideration on land within unincorporated Sedgwick County. The suspension remains in effect until the earlier of September 11, 2026, or the effective date of applicable Sedgwick County and City of Wichita zoning-code provisions for data centers.

Sources

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