Loading map…
Regbase

The Data Center Divide

Woodford County

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

Strongly Anti-Data Center Policies

Woodford County’s enacted zoning change bars data-center energy systems in light- and heavy-industrial zones, though descriptions conflict by calling it proposed; development outside those zones may remain possible.

current law · County measure
Would prohibit data centers and their associated power systems in Woodford County’s light- and heavy-industrial zones.Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Planning Commission Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Recommendation (2026)

What this means

The proposed zoning change would prohibit data center energy systems in the county’s industrial districts, and the planning commission describes its goal as making data centers an unallowed land use throughout Woodford County and its cities. If enacted as described, that would effectively prevent building, expanding, or operating data centers there.

People behind it

  • Recommended the amendment to Article VII, Zoning Districts, after conducting a public hearing.

  • Introduced and enacted the ordinance amending Sections 712 through 720 of Article VII.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3

  • Data centers and data center energy systems are prohibited in both the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Woodford County.

  • The ordinance defines data center energy systems broadly to include energy-generation and storage equipment, substations, backup generators, battery storage systems, transmission and distribution lines, and pipelines used for normal or backup power for data centers.

  • The prohibition applies to facilities primarily used for storing, managing, processing, or transmitting data, including cryptocurrency mining, artificial-intelligence training or processing, and cloud-computing facilities.

Sources

current law · County measure
Prohibits data centers and their energy systems throughout Woodford County, including Versailles and Midway.Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Planning Commission Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Recommendation (July 9, 2026)

What this means

If enacted, the amendment would prohibit data center energy systems in the industrial zones and states the aim is to make data centers an unallowed use throughout Woodford County and its cities. That amounts to an outright ban on building or expanding data centers within its scope, with no offsetting benefits described; the proposal calls for a “clear, permanent land use policy”.

People behind it

  • Recommended adoption of the zoning text amendment after a public hearing.

  • Introduced the ordinance and conducted its first reading; the ordinance assigns the Fiscal Court its adoption.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3

  • Data Center Energy Systems are expressly prohibited in both Light Industrial (I-1) and Heavy Industrial (I-2) districts, in incorporated and unincorporated areas. The definition covers data-storage and processing facilities and examples including cryptocurrency mining, AI processing, and cloud computing. prohibited in both

  • Battery Energy Storage System Type 2 is prohibited in I-1 and I-2 districts. Type 2 means a system with aggregate capacity greater than 600 kWh or one using more than one battery-storage technology. Type 2

  • Battery Energy Storage System Type 1 in I-1 requires a Conditional Use Permit and must be at least 1,000 feet from an adjoining parcel’s boundary and 2,000 feet from a residential neighborhood, school, hospital, or nursing home. Type 1 is no more than 600 kWh and uses only one storage technology if enclosed. at least 1,000 feet

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • Utility service facilities exempted under KRS 100.324 are excluded from the definition of Data Center Energy Systems, so this measure’s prohibition on that category does not cover them. The measure does not specify whether they are otherwise permitted. The category shall not include utility service facilities.

Sources

Specific to Woodford County only.

current law · County measure: Countywide zoning amendment; the separate moratorium applies only to the City of Versailles
Would prohibit data centers and their associated energy systems in Woodford County’s light- and heavy-industrial zones.Woodford County Ordinance 2026-08 (2026)

What this means

The proposed zoning amendment would prohibit data center energy systems in both light- and heavy-industrial zones across Woodford County, a significant obstacle because those zones are often suitable for large facilities (data centers prohibited in I-1 and I-2). It is not a complete countywide ban, so development outside those zones may remain possible.

Timing

Ends
Dec 31, 2026

The Versailles moratorium applies to data-center zone-map amendments, development plans, and related permits, approvals, and authorizations. It expires on 2026-12-31, with an exception for applications already filed.

People behind it

  • Recommended that Article VII of the zoning ordinance be amended after conducting a public hearing.

  • Introduced and adopted the ordinance amending Sections 712–720 of Article VII of the Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Zoning Ordinance.

  • Woodford County Judge/Executive who signed the ordinance on behalf of the Fiscal Court.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements7

  • Versailles imposed a moratorium through December 31, 2026, on accepting or processing zone-map amendment applications that include a preliminary development plan for a data center.

  • Versailles imposed a moratorium through December 31, 2026, on accepting and reviewing development plans for data centers in any zoning district.

  • Versailles imposed a moratorium through December 31, 2026, on issuing permits, approvals, or authorizations necessary to operate data centers in any zoning district.

  • The Versailles moratorium directs the city to refuse the affected applications, plans, permits, approvals, and authorizations, except for applications already filed, if any.

  • Data center energy systems are prohibited in Light Industrial (I-1) districts in both incorporated and unincorporated Woodford County.

  • Data center energy systems are prohibited in Heavy Industrial (I-2) districts in both incorporated and unincorporated Woodford County.

  • The zoning amendment defines data center energy systems broadly to include generation and storage equipment, substations, backup generators, battery storage systems, transmission and distribution lines, and pipelines used for a data center's normal or backup power.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions3

  • Data centers receive sales and use tax exemptions under Kentucky House Bill 775 from the 2025 legislative session.

  • The definition of Data Center Energy Systems excludes utility service facilities exempted under KRS 100.324, leaving those facilities outside this ordinance's data-center energy-system classification.

  • Versailles' moratorium on data-center applications, development plans, and operating permits does not apply to applications already filed, protecting those applications from the moratorium.

Sources

Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data