Clinton County is reviewing whether its current zoning regulations adequately address large-load and hyperscale digital infrastructure facilities, including industrial-scale data centers and similar high-load computational operations.

These facilities can create infrastructure and compatibility impacts materially different from ordinary commercial development, including extraordinary electrical demand, substations and transmission infrastructure, generator systems, construction traffic and road impacts, lighting and sound impacts, emergency-service coordination, and phased industrial-scale campus development.

Clinton County already possesses an existing zoning and Special Use Permit (SUP) framework for industrial development. The County has also adopted a temporary moratorium on data-center applications while reviewing whether targeted zoning updates are appropriate.

Current recommendations under review include:

• Establishing clear definitions for large-load digital infrastructure facilities;

• Requiring Special Use Permit review for qualifying facilities;

• Limiting qualifying facilities to selected industrial zoning districts;

• Expanding infrastructure and utility disclosures;

• Strengthening compatibility and operational standards; and

• Preserving long-term county oversight through existing SUP authority.

The review process is intended to preserve local land-use authority and ensure that industrial-scale digital infrastructure facilities receive discretionary review appropriate to their infrastructure intensity and compatibility impacts.

The review process is not intended to regulate ordinary business computing activity, internet content, or routine commercial technology operations.

Clinton County Large-Load Digital Infrastructure Zoning Review

Ordinance Adequacy Review an Recommendations

Ordinance Amendment Updates