Dane County WI Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium
Dane County, WI — 18-Month Moratorium on Hyperscale Data Centers
Dane County, WI · Dane County, WI 18-month hyperscale data-center moratorium (June 4, 2026)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- December 4, 2027
- Applies to
- Hyperscale data-center developers (5,000+ servers, 10,000+ sq ft) seeking zoning approvals in county-zoned areas of Dane County, WI
- Enforced by
- Dane County / Planning & Development
Dane County, Wisconsin (home to Madison) approved an 18-month moratorium on hyperscale data centers (defined as 5,000+ servers and 10,000+ sq ft) in the 26 unincorporated county towns subject to county zoning authority, while officials draft permanent regulations.
Who is protected: Dane County residents and ratepayers in the 26 county-zoned unincorporated towns
Legal detail
Dane County Board unanimously voted June 4, 2026; County Executive Agard signed. The 18-month moratorium on hyperscale data-center permitting covers areas under county zoning (26 towns; does not apply to villages, cities, or 6 towns with self-zoning). Threshold: at least 5,000 servers and 10,000 sq ft. Term: 18 months from June 4, 2026 (~December 4, 2027) or until permanent regulations adopted, whichever first.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Dane County, WI |
|---|---|
| Level | County |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | June 4, 2026 |
| Citation | Dane County, WI 18-month hyperscale data-center moratorium (June 4, 2026) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Permit/application denial during the moratorium |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| News report | Dane County Board approves data center moratorium — Isthmus |
Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere
- Superior WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Madison WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Manitowoc County WI Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Dayton OH data center moratorium (180-day, Apr 2026) · In effect
- Washington Township OH data center moratorium (360-day, Apr 2026) · In effect
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