Ware County adopts zoning and code changes to regulate cryptocurrency mining and solar farms

Ware County commissioners on April 14 adopted a package of code and zoning changes to regulate cryptocurrency/data-mining operations and solar farms and to add related definitions and setbacks to the county code.

Ordinance 2025-02 (adding cryptocurrency) and Ordinance 2025-03 (adding solar farms) were approved by roll call after commissioners moved and seconded each measure. The board also amended Ware County Zoning Sections 706.3 and 707.5 to add cryptocurrency/data mining and solar farms as conditional uses in the General Industrial and Agricultural districts, respectively, and added a definition for cryptocurrency to Article III, Section 302.1B.

Commissioner Jon Tindall framed the package as a preemptive effort: "the amendments are not to open or close the doors to all, but to show there are rules in place," he said. The board separately approved a 1,000-foot setback requirement for cryptocurrency and data-mining operations in Article VI, Section 617 after amending the agenda to correct a typographical error; that amendment to the agenda passed unanimously.

All zoning and ordinance votes recorded in the minutes passed by roll call. Commissioners said the goal was to set clear conditions and processes before any applications are submitted, not to categorically prohibit or guarantee approvals.

The actions change where cryptocurrency and solar uses can be considered conditional and add clarity by defining cryptocurrency-related terms and establishing minimum setbacks. The vote does not itself approve any specific project; it modifies the county's land-use rules and will guide future permit and conditional-use decisions.