Linn County looks to regulate data center development
News Clipthegazette.com·Linn County, IA·1/21/2026
Linn County, Iowa is drafting a new zoning code to regulate data center development in rural areas. The code would require data center developers to prove their projects would not cause adverse effects on the county's water system before being allowed to build. Two data center campuses are already under construction in southwest Cedar Rapids, and the county has received inquiries from other developers interested in similar projects in the area.
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Gov: Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission, Linn County Board of Supervisors
Linn County is proposing new zoning regulations to govern the development of large-scale data centers in rural areas. The regulations would require developers to prove their projects would not adversely impact the county's water supply. The proposed code, which must be approved by the county board of supervisors, would create a new zoning district specifically for data centers over 20 megawatts or using more than 50 gallons of water per minute. Developers would need to submit detailed plans and complete a water study. The regulations are in response to growing interest from companies like Google to build data centers in the county. Some residents have raised concerns about the impact on farmland and water resources, but county officials say the regulations are a necessary "first step" to address this new type of development.