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Regbase

The Data Center Divide

Otoe County

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

Mixed Data Center Policies

Otoe County pauses data-center building and conditional-use permits for up to a year while reviewing zoning; existing centers are not required to stop operating.

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

Specific to Otoe County only.

current law · County measure
Recommends a moratorium on issuing conditional-use and/or building permits for data centers within Otoe County to allow officials to form a Data Center Zoning Review Committee and review existing zoning rules.Otoe County Planning Commission data-center moratorium recommendation (2026)

What this means

The measure pauses building and conditional-use permits for data centers for up to one year while the county reviews its zoning rules, which could seriously delay new projects or expansions. It does not say existing data centers must stop operating, and the pause could end sooner if updated rules are approved. Moratorium on permits for up to one year.

Timing

Ends
up to one year after adoption

The Board adopted the moratorium on 2026-05-19. It may be lifted earlier if the zoning regulations are updated and approved.

People behind it

  • Moved the Planning Commission motion recommending the data-center moratorium and committee; named as a Planning Board representative on the review committee. The motion was made by Wirthele; the committee included Planning Board representatives.

  • Seconded the Planning Commission motion recommending the moratorium and committee; named as a Planning Board representative on the review committee. The motion was seconded by Bebout; the committee included Planning Board representatives.

  • Moved the Board motion creating the zoning review committee and seconded the Board motion imposing the moratorium; named as a county representative on the committee. Crownover moved to create the committee; Crownover seconded the moratorium motion; the committee included county representatives.

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  • Seconded the Board motion creating the zoning review committee and was named as a county representative on it. The committee motion was seconded by Sornson; Sornson was named among the county representatives.

  • Moved the Board motion imposing the data-center moratorium and was named as a county representative on the review committee. Cole made the moratorium motion; Cole was named among the county representatives.

  • Named as a county representative on the committee tasked with reviewing and updating zoning regulations and preparing a report for the Commissioners. The committee’s county representatives were identified.

  • Named as a county representative on the committee tasked with reviewing and updating zoning regulations and preparing a report for the Commissioners. The committee’s county representatives were identified.

  • Named as a Planning Board representative on the review committee tasked with updating zoning regulations and preparing a report for the Commissioners. The committee included Planning Board representatives.

  • Formed to review current data-center zoning regulations and prepare a report for the Commissioners; the Board described its task as updating the regulations and establishing data-center rules. The Planning Commission approved forming the committee; the Board assigned the committee to review and update regulations.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • A moratorium bars building permits and conditional use permits for data centers for up to one year. It may be lifted earlier if the zoning review committee updates the regulations and the updates are approved.

Sources

current law · County measure
Otoe County imposed a moratorium of up to one year on building permits and conditional-use permits for data centers to allow a zoning review committee to develop updated data-center regulations; the moratorium may end earlier if the regulations are completed and approved.Otoe County data-center permitting moratorium (2026)

What this means

The measure would pause building and conditional-use permits for data centers across Otoe County for up to one year, making new construction and permitted expansion substantially harder during that time. It does not mention shutting down existing data centers, and the pause could end sooner if updated zoning rules are approved.

Timing

Ends
up to one year after adoption

The moratorium applies to building and conditional use permits for data centers. It may be lifted earlier if the zoning regulations are updated and approved.

People behind it

  • Proposed the data-center moratorium and formation of a Data Center Zoning Review Committee.

  • Moved for approval of the data-center moratorium and the formation of the Data Center Zoning Review Committee.

  • Seconded the motion approving the data-center moratorium and committee formation; appointed to the review committee.

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  • Approved the moratorium on data-center building and conditional-use permits and established the zoning review committee.

  • Moved for adoption of the data-center moratorium and was appointed to the zoning review committee.

  • Seconded the motion adopting the data-center moratorium and was appointed to the zoning review committee.

  • Appointed as a county representative to the zoning review committee responsible for reviewing and updating regulations.

  • Appointed as a county representative to the zoning review committee responsible for reviewing and updating regulations.

  • Appointed as a Planning Board representative to the zoning review committee responsible for reviewing and updating regulations.

  • Responsible for reviewing current zoning regulations for data centers, preparing a report, and proposing regulatory updates.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • A moratorium prohibits the issuance of building permits and conditional use permits for data centers anywhere in Otoe County for up to one year. The moratorium may end earlier if the zoning regulations are updated and approved.

Sources

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