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Brown County enacts 18-month development moratorium for data centers, battery storage and similar projects
Summary
The Brown County Board adopted Resolution 2026-10, imposing an 18-month development moratorium (with limited extension options) on approvals for projects including data centers, battery energy storage systems, certain solar installations, chip manufacturing and cryptocurrency facilities to allow time for study and public input.
Brown County commissioners voted to adopt Resolution 2026-10 on March 1, placing an 18-month development moratorium on approvals for certain large-scale industrial and energy projects. The moratorium text specifically identifies data centers, battery energy storage systems, solar energy (with a distinction between commercial solar farms and smaller on-site systems), chip manufacturing and cryptocurrency operations.
Counsel explained the draft is structured for an 18-month pause with the possibility of a single six-month extension; commissioners emphasized that the intent is to slow review and gather more public input and policy analysis, not to implement a permanent ban. During the discussion the board clarified that previously adopted language for commercial solar farms remains applicable elsewhere and that this moratorium is meant to capture additional categories of projects (for example, energy storage systems and certain industrial uses) that the county has not previously regulated in detail.
Commissioners approved the resolution by motion. Staff will post and publish any required notices and proceed with the public-engagement and research steps the board discussed.
The moratorium creates a temporary pause on discretionary county approvals for projects described in the resolution while staff and commissioners examine regulatory gaps and public concerns.
