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.
Marathon County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Pro-Data Center Policies
Marathon County’s enacted 12-month moratorium pauses most new data centers and expansions in townships using county zoning. Existing lawful approvals, routine maintenance, and emergency work are exempt.
Rating from Wisconsin statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Marathon County.
Specific to Marathon County only.
current law · County measure: Towns of Brighton, Easton, Eau Pleine, Elderon, Frankfort, Green Valley, Guenther, Hewitt, Holton, Hull, Knowlton, Marathon, McMillan, Reid, Rib Falls, Plover, Spencer, and Wien that use county zoningLocal reporting states that Marathon County approved on Aug. 25 a 12-month moratorium on data-center development in county-zoned towns.Marathon County Data Center Moratorium Zoning-Code Amendment (2026)
What this means
The proposed 12-month moratorium would pause most new data center projects and expansions in townships using county zoning, making development substantially harder during that period. Existing lawful approvals, routine maintenance, and emergency work are exempt, but the temporary ban is still a major barrier.
Timing
Reporting confirms a 12-month moratorium. Publication, effective date, exact expiry and extension mechanism are unverified without operative text.
People behind it
- Shad Harvey
Reported as land use manager for Marathon County; presented survey results.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
Reporting describes a pause on county zoning permits, conditional use permits or approvals, related text amendments and other county zoning approvals for covered new development or expansion.
Reported expansion definition includes physical expansion or intensification of an existing data center.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Reporting identifies exemptions for previously issued and lawfully established approvals, ordinary maintenance and repair, and necessary emergency actions.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data