A Conditional Use Permit and Brown County building permit are required to construct or install a data center, or to modify an existing one beyond routine maintenance. Data centers may be permitted only in Heavy Industrial or Agricultural Preservation districts, with a Conditional Use Petition. permits and zoning districts

Data centers must generally be at least one mile from sensitive properties, including dwellings, schools, religious institutions, and public parks. The Planning/Zoning Commission may consider reducing the distance to no less than one-half mile if an engineered stamped design shows noise below 75 dBA at the relevant property lines. one-mile separation and reduced setback

The facility must have a maintained, secured chain-link, solid wood, or masonry fence at least six feet high around its entire perimeter. security fencing

All electrical generators must be enclosed behind a solid concrete or equivalent sound-absorbing wall at least four feet higher than the generator’s highest point. noise reduction walls

Structures and equipment must meet the setbacks of their zoning district, and electrical wiring must be buried underground except at system or utility-grid interconnections. setbacks and buried wiring

Exterior road construction or improvements require approval from the government entity with jurisdiction. A haul-road maintenance agreement is required during installation, construction, or qualifying modifications; interior roads are reviewed by County Emergency Management and local emergency responders for emergency access. road approval and maintenance requirements

Cargo containers, railroad cars, semi-truck trailers, and similar storage containers are prohibited for any component of the operation. prohibited storage containers

Perimeter-fence signage is limited to one sign of no more than 32 square feet, displaying the facility name, address, emergency contact information, and appropriate warnings. signage limit

A grid-connected facility cannot receive a permit until the operator provides utility-provider approval and written verification of adequate system capacity, properly sized equipment, and no harmful electrical interference or voltage fluctuations. Off-grid systems are exempt. utility approval and verification

For projects seeking a reduced setback within one mile of sensitive properties, a noise mitigation plan is required. Noise at an occupied residence, church, or government building is limited to 55 dBA, or 45 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.; limited exceedances are allowed for up to 15 minutes per hour at 5 dBA, 5 minutes at 10 dBA, or 1.5 minutes at 15 dBA. The County may require independent verification or additional measurements. noise plan and limits

Permit applications must include an acoustic-engineer study of anticipated noise and mitigation, a scaled site plan, a map of sensitive properties within one mile, and documentation of compliance with applicable state and federal requirements. application submittal requirements

Conditional Use Petition and building-permit application fees apply; the amounts are set annually by the Board of County Commissioners. annual application fees

Data centers are eligible for conditional-use approval in the Heavy Industrial and Agricultural Preservation districts, creating a defined route to build there, subject to a conditional use petition and Brown County building permit. “may only be permitted”

The standard one-mile separation from sensitive properties may be reduced, but not below one-half mile, if an engineered stamped design shows noise below 75 dBA and the planning and zoning commission considers the request. “may be reduced to not less than one-half”