Nothing reported in Unincorporated Johnson County yet
Who decides here: the Johnson County Board of Supervisors decides on zoning for land outside city and town limits.
Local votes and rules
📜 Data center rules
Johnson County is drafting one of the strictest data center ordinances in eastern Iowa. Data centers would need a water study, could go only in set areas (commercial and industrial zones, or as a conditional use on farm land), and may have to use closed-loop cooling. Staff want it done before the pause ends November 8.
⏸️ Pause on new data centers
Supervisors passed a one-year pause on rezonings, site plans and building permits for data centers in the countryside. Iowa City, North Liberty and Coralville are not covered. It ends November 8, 2026. The county is using the time to write rules on where data centers can go and on power and water use.
What you can do
- Get told first.
We'll email you if anything changes in Unincorporated Johnson County. - Go to county meetings.
Anyone can speak. Big projects usually need a public hearing. - Ask questions in writing.
Use our checklist.
🔔 Get told first
⚡ Your electric company
Depending on where you live in Unincorporated Johnson County: Interstate Power and Light Co. (company) or Midamerican Energy Co. (company) or Linn County Rec (co-op (owned by its members)) or Eastern Iowa Light & Power Co-op (co-op (owned by its members)) or Farmers Electric Co-op (not available).
Big data centers need a lot of power. Who pays for new power lines depends on state rules. See the rules in Iowa.