| Community | Approach | Key Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Linn County | Hybrid | 18-month moratorium on Large Scale Data Centers through January 1, 2028 Ordinance adopted February 18, 2026. New zoning district (EU-3), water study required, water use agreement, economic development agreement required, noise limits, setbacks, light pollution limits, waste management plans, mitigation of infrastructure impacts (roads, emergency response) |
| Des Moines | Zoning Amendment | New use definition/size threshold within existing commercial use category |
| Johnson County | Moratorium | 1-year moratorium in November 2025, new zoning ordinance to be drafted during moratorium |
| Allamakee County | Zoning | • Micro Data Centers limited to A-1, C-1, I-1, I-2 zoned areas • Large Data Centers prohibited except as permitted by Conditional Use in I-2 districts • 5-mile distance between micro data centers, 20-mile distance required between large data centers • Regulation on cooling methods, height, setbacks, fencing, landscaping, signage, noise, back-up power. • Additional requirements for large data centers: lighting, water quality protections, viewshed limitations, economic development agreement required, fire safety plan, emergency operations plan, roads, decommissioning |
| Palo | Zoning | Exclusive Data Center Use District Regulation on lighting, noise, road use, emergency response plan, economic development agreement required, setbacks, street access, parking, off-street loading, buffers, sewer and water connections, avoidance/mitigation of damage to public infrastructure, studies required |
City of Dubuque | Data Center Regulatory Framework