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The Data Center Divide

Oneida County

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

Pro-Data Center Policies

Oneida County has enacted a 12-month pause on approvals for new data centers and expansions in the areas covered. Existing approvals, routine repairs, and emergency work are exempt, so operating centers may continue.

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

Specific to Oneida County only.

current law · Unincorporated areas where Chapter 9 of the Oneida County Zoning and Shoreland Protection Ordinance applies
Establishes a 12-month moratorium, adopted as Resolution #56-2026 by a 20–0 vote, to protect public health, safety, and welfare while Oneida County evaluates data-center impacts and considers zoning changes, application requirements, performance standards, or use classifications.Oneida County Ordinance Amendment #02-2026 — Interim Moratorium on Data Centers

What this means

The measure would pause approval of new data centers and expansions in the county areas it covers for 12 months. Existing valid approvals, routine repairs, and emergency work are exempt, so it does not prohibit existing centers from operating, but it substantially delays new projects and growth.

Timing

Ends
twelve (12) months from the date of adoption

The moratorium may be replaced or extended by the Oneida County Board of Supervisors.

People behind it

  • Authored and proposed Ordinance Amendment #02-2026 establishing the one-year data center moratorium.

  • Named as an offering and passage mover for Resolution #56-2026 / Ordinance Amendment #02-2026.

  • Named as an offering and passage mover for Resolution #56-2026 / Ordinance Amendment #02-2026.

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  • Named as an offering and passage mover for Resolution #56-2026 / Ordinance Amendment #02-2026.

  • Named as an offering and passage mover for Resolution #56-2026 / Ordinance Amendment #02-2026.

  • Named as an offering and passage mover for Resolution #56-2026 / Ordinance Amendment #02-2026.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3

  • For 12 months after adoption, the County may not accept, process, approve, or issue approvals, permits, or authorizations for new data center development or data center expansion in the unincorporated areas where Chapter 9 applies.

  • The moratorium covers zoning or land-use permits for new development or changes in use, conditional-use approvals, zoning map or text amendments primarily intended to allow a new or expanded data center, and any other County zoning approval that would authorize such development or expansion.

  • The moratorium does not apply to work covered by a lawfully issued and still-valid approval issued before the ordinance's effective date, ordinary maintenance or repair that is not a data center expansion, or emergency work needed to protect public health and safety or restore utility service. The County Board may replace or extend the moratorium.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions5

  • Previously issued and lawfully established approvals are exempt from the moratorium, as long as the approval remains valid and has not expired, become void, or been revoked.

  • Ordinary maintenance and repair of a data center is allowed during the moratorium, provided the work does not constitute a defined expansion.

  • Emergency work needed to protect public health and safety or restore utility service is exempt, if authorized by the Zoning Administrator or designee.

  • The moratorium applies only in the unincorporated areas of Oneida County where Chapter 9 zoning applies, so it does not impose this moratorium on areas outside that jurisdiction.

  • The moratorium lasts twelve months from adoption unless the County Board replaces or extends it, limiting the measure's stated duration.

Sources

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