Johnson County, IA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Crypto Mining Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitted district
- MH Heavy Industrial only
- Added by
- Ordinance 10-10-24-01 (Oct. 10, 2024)
- Other districts
- Use not listed, effectively excluded
- Site Plan review
- Required before building permit
- First offense penalty
- Up to $750 civil citation
Summary
Cryptocurrency mining is a permitted primary use only in the MH Heavy Industrial Zoning District under UDO Section 8:1.19(A)(3), added by Ordinance 10-10-24-01 in October 2024. Every other unincorporated zoning district in Johnson County, including agricultural and light industrial land, remains closed to the use.
A. Primary Uses. The following primary uses are allowed in the MH zoning district. All primary uses allowed in the MH district shall only be allowed in the MH district unless those uses are specifically allowed in other districts. ... 2. Auto Wrecking. 3. Cryptocurrency mining or production installation.175 4. Distribution, Truck Terminals, Wholesaling, and Warehousing.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
19(A) for the MH Heavy Industrial Zoning District. ' Because cryptocurrency mining is not named in any other district's use list, it cannot legally operate anywhere in unincorporated Johnson County outside the land currently zoned MH, alongside auto wrecking, asphalt and concrete recycling, junk and salvage yards, and flammable liquid storage. 26(A)(1) before a building permit can be issued, since MH is one of the districts requiring that review. 25(C) table; where a use such as cryptocurrency mining is not specifically listed with its own parking ratio, the Zoning Administrator determines the closest comparable use to set the requirement.
A property owner wanting to site a mining operation on land zoned anything other than MH, such as AG-T or C-AG, would need to apply for a rezoning to MH through the Board of Supervisors rather than a conditional use permit, since the use is not listed as conditional in any other district.
Violations & Fines
Running a cryptocurrency mining installation on land not zoned MH is a County Infraction under Section 8:8.3, carrying a civil penalty of up to $750 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for each repeat violation, with every day of continued operation treated as a separate offense. The County Attorney's office can also pursue criminal penalties of up to $625 and 30 days' imprisonment under Section 8:8.4, or seek a restraining order and abatement under Section 8:8.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a crypto mining operation legally locate in Johnson County?
When did Johnson County add crypto mining to its zoning code?
Does a mining facility need Site Plan approval before building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Johnson County
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