Linn County, IA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)
Key Facts
- Zoning
- Rezoning to EU-3 district required
- Setback
- 200 ft from all property lines
- Residential buffer
- 1,000 ft to homes, assembly halls
- 2026 status
- New EU-3 rezonings paused to 2028
Summary
Large-scale data centers in unincorporated Linn County must rezone into the EU-3 district, file a major site plan, and meet a 200-foot property-line setback plus a 1,000-foot residential buffer under Sec. 107-151.
(d)Major site plan required. A major site plan shall be submitted and reviewed prior to the approval of a large-scale data center. A large-scale data center shall require rezoning to the EU-3 zoning district, unless already located within such EU-3 zoning district. ... (f)Required setbacks. (1)200 feet to property lines. (2)1,000 feet (measured from the closest outer wall of the closest building on the data center property) to the closest outer wall of a place of public assembly and to the property line of any residentially zoned property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 16).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 107-151 created the EU-3 Exclusive Use Three district as the only place a large-scale data center may go in unincorporated Linn County. Getting there requires a board-approved rezoning to EU-3 plus a major site plan, a 200-foot setback from all property lines, and a 1,000-foot buffer to homes and public-assembly buildings. As of August 2026 the board has paused new EU-3 rezoning applications under an 18-month moratorium running to January 1, 2028. Cedar Rapids and Marion zone data centers under their own municipal codes, not this chapter.
Violations & Fines
Building or operating a large-scale data center without EU-3 rezoning is an illegal use; the zoning administrator can order work stopped and refer noncompliance for enforcement under Article VIII of the code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a data center locate anywhere in unincorporated Linn County?
Is Linn County currently accepting new data center rezoning applications?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Linn County
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