Data centers are not allowed in R-1 Rural Estates, R-2 Urban Residential, R-M Mobile Home Residential, or VAD/Town Site districts under the Section 4.07 land-use matrix.

In districts where the matrix classifies data centers as conditional uses— including A-1, TA-1, AGV, and LCR—construction or operation requires a Conditional Use Permit rather than only ordinary zoning approval.

A Conditional Use Permit requires public hearings before the Planning Commission and County Board of Commissioners, publication notice at least 10 days before the hearings, and mailed notice to relevant residents and title holders within one mile of the site.

The County may impose additional conditions on a data-center Conditional Use Permit, including buffers, landscaping and screening, erosion controls, access or street improvements, changes to site layout, building-design standards, operational limits, and other conditions needed for compatibility and public welfare.

A data center must obtain the required land-use approval before construction, alteration, occupancy, or use; commencing work or using the property without a Land Use Permit is unlawful.

An applicant must provide evidence of sufficient water and wastewater capacity, or professional-engineer certification for wells and on-site wastewater systems, and a signed electric-utility letter confirming the facility can be served without reducing system capacity.

The data-center applicant is responsible for all costs of extending infrastructure to the site.

Data centers must provide sufficient on-site parking for employees and visitors and design access to prevent traffic congestion.

Data centers must use site buffers, landscaping, walls, or other measures when required for visual and noise mitigation, particularly near residential or sensitive uses, and must use compatible materials, colors, and architectural elements, including earth-tone and non-reflective exterior surfaces.

Data centers must maximize energy efficiency and implement water-efficiency measures, including consideration of renewable energy, recycled cooling water, and water-saving fixtures.

Data centers must maintain emergency-response plans for hazards such as outages, fires, and natural disasters, and must install and maintain adequate fire detection and suppression systems in compliance with applicable fire codes.

Data centers must implement noise-mitigation measures, including sound-insulated walls or equipment enclosures, to reduce impacts on nearby residences.

Data centers must implement security measures, including controlled access, surveillance, and adequate lighting.

The Section 4.07 matrix amendment noticed for September 2026 would require a public hearing and County Board adoption of a resolution to add ancillary data centers as permitted uses in the A-1, TA-1, C-1, I-1, AGV, and LCR districts; until adopted, the existing matrix classifications apply.

The noticed amendments to Conditional Use Permit procedures and to Section 8.22 Data Centers require separate public hearings and County Board resolutions before taking effect.

Data centers may be established as a principal or accessory use in the zoning districts identified in the Land Use Categories/Matrix; the matrix designates data centers as permitted in I-1 Industrial District and conditional in certain other districts.

Accessory uses directly related to data-center operations, including maintenance facilities, security offices, and employee amenities, are allowed as permitted accessory uses.

A data-center applicant may demonstrate adequate water and wastewater capacity either through evidence from a utility provider or, for wells and onsite wastewater systems, through certification by a professional engineer.

An electric utility must provide a signed letter demonstrating that it can serve the data center without reducing system capacity, supporting confirmation of available electrical service.

The applicant may extend infrastructure to the data-center site, including required water, wastewater, power, fiber, and road infrastructure, with the applicant responsible for the extension costs.

A data center may use the Planned Development Overlay District, which can allow multiple buildings on one tract, private roads, smaller platted tracts, and reduced setbacks or other departures from the underlying district's normal requirements, subject to approval and an approved development plan.

If a conditional use permit is approved for a data center, the use is treated as a conforming use rather than a nonconforming use, so it is not subject to the regulations governing nonconforming uses.

The proposed August 31, 2026 amendment would add ancillary data centers as permitted uses in the A-1, TA-1, C-1, I-1, AGV, and LCR districts, which would reduce the need for conditional-use approval if adopted by the County Board.