Loading map…
Regbase

The Data Center Divide

Jefferson County

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

Pro-Data Center Policies

Jefferson County has enacted an 18-month pause on zoning permit applications and approvals for data centers, hindering new projects and expansions that need permits. Existing operations are not expressly halted, and incidental servers for another permitted use are exempt.

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

Specific to Jefferson County only.

current law · County measure: Areas within Jefferson County’s zoning jurisdiction, including the towns
Would establish an 18-month moratorium within Jefferson County’s zoning jurisdiction, including the towns, on receiving applications for and granting zoning-related approvals for data-center placement or construction, including rezone petitions, conditional-use permits, and other zoning approvals.Jefferson County Ordinance No. 2026-10 — Moratorium on Data Center Siting or Placement Within Jefferson County’s Zoning Jurisdiction

What this means

The measure would block applications for and approval of zoning permits to place or build data centers for 18 months, making new projects and expansions requiring permits substantially harder. It does not expressly halt existing data center operations and excludes servers incidental to another permitted use, but the temporary moratorium is still a major development barrier (18-month moratorium; incidental equipment exception).

Timing

Ends
18 months from the date of enactment, or until it is rescinded or replaced with substantive data center regulations, whichever is earlier.

The County Board may extend the moratorium by separate action if deemed necessary. (expiration and extension terms)

People behind it

  • Presented the proposed amendment on behalf of the Planning & Development Department; the hearing record says he spoke on behalf of the department for the proposed text amendment.

  • Proposed the text amendment; Matt Zangl spoke for the department at the public hearing, as recorded in the hearing materials.

  • Identified as the petitioner for the proposed data center moratorium amendment in the public hearing record.

Show 1 more peopleShow fewer people

  • Recommended forwarding the proposed moratorium ordinance to the County Board for adoption, as stated in the ordinance summary.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3

  • For 18 months, the County bars receiving applications for or granting zoning-related permits for data-center placement or construction, including rezones, conditional-use permits, and other approvals. Moratorium on applications and permits

  • The moratorium takes effect upon passage and publication and ends 18 months after enactment, or earlier if rescinded or replaced with substantive data-center regulations. The County Board may extend it by separate action. Term and extension

  • The moratorium does not cover computer or telecommunications equipment that is secondary and incidental to an otherwise permitted property use, such as servers associated with manufacturing or an office building. Incidental-equipment exception

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • The moratorium does not cover computer or telecommunications equipment that is secondary and incidental to an otherwise permitted use, such as servers associated with manufacturing or an office building; this exception does not apply to facilities whose primary use is as a data center. (secondary and incidental to an otherwise permitted use)

Sources

Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data