The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Meeker County
Anti-Data Center Policies
Meeker County prohibits data centers in A-1 agricultural districts; some other districts require a conditional-use permit and information about infrastructure impacts. This is not a countywide ban.
current law · Unincorporated areasProhibits data centers in the A-1 agricultural district and requires conditional-use approval and information about local infrastructure impacts in commercial and industrial districts.Meeker County Zoning Ordinance 2026 Amendments
What this means
The measure would prohibit data centers in the A-1 agricultural district, ruling out a potentially large area for siting, while allowing them in some other districts only with a conditional-use permit. Applicants would also have to provide information on local infrastructure impacts; these are meaningful barriers, but not a countywide ban.
People behind it
- Greg Schultz
Presented the recommended zoning ordinance amendments to the Planning Commission and County Board.
- Meeker County Planning Commission
Reviewed and voted on the proposed amendments before they were presented to the County Board.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
Data centers are prohibited in the A-1 agricultural district (“Data Centers are prohibited in the A-1 district”).
In the commercial and industrial districts addressed by the amendments, data centers are conditional uses and must provide information on their impact on local infrastructure and show they will meet applicable local, state, and federal regulations (“provide necessary data indicating how it will impact local infrastructure”).
The amendments add data centers to the zoning section on setbacks; its table lists distances from non-owner dwellings, with different entries for facilities over 100 kW and those of 100 kW or less (“Setbacks for wind energy facilities and data centers”).
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Data centers may seek conditional use permits in the districts covered by Sections 15.02 and 17.02, subject to submitting information on impacts to local infrastructure and complying with applicable local, state, and federal requirements. The A-1 agricultural district is excluded: data centers are prohibited there. Conditional-use data-center language
Sources
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