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.
Pierce County
Anti-Data Center Policies
Pierce County limits data centers to industrial areas and requires a conditional-use permit. Rezoning needs town support and county approval, making sites harder to secure, but data centers are not banned.
current law · County measure: Areas subject to county zoning; the specific scope is unclear, with industrial zoning districts also specifiedLocal reporting says the County Board approved an ordinance August 25 by 16–1 amending the zoning code and table of uses for data centers.Pierce County, Wisconsin Data Center Zoning Ordinance Amendment (2026)
What this means
Data centers would be limited to industrial areas and require a conditional-use permit, making suitable sites harder to find. Rezoning would also need town support and county approval, creating significant barriers, though the measure would not ban data centers outright.
People behind it
- Andy Pichotta
Land Management Director, quoted explaining the amendment.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
Reportedly restricts the use to an industrial zoning district and requires a conditional use permit.
Reported definition includes cryptocurrency or digital asset mining.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Provides a permitting route through issuance of a conditional use permit, according to staff quoted in local reporting.
Sources
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