Camden County adopts strict ordinance regulating data centers in unincorporated areas

The Camden County Commission on April 24 adopted Ordinance No. 04-24-2026 to regulate the location, construction and operation of data centers in the county's unincorporated areas. Commissioners voted to approve the ordinance after members of the Unified Land Use Code rewrite committee presented the text.

The ordinance's proponents and the commission said the measure is intended to protect groundwater, existing power supplies and the Lake of the Ozarks while setting clear requirements for developers. "This ordinance does not ban data centers; it sets parameters and lets these companies know that they will have to adhere to restrictions and policy," Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton said during the meeting.

Under the new rules, the county classifies data centers into four categories by power and size: Micro (under 1 MW), Small (1–5 MW), Medium (5–75 MW) and Large (over 75 MW). Small, Medium and Large facilities require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and Development Agreement. The ordinance requires energy consumption and power‑generation modeling and, for Medium and Large facilities, escalating on-site generation capability (Medium: ability to supply 100% of peak load; Large: 110% of peak load within three years of operation). The ordinance also requires developers to provide tentative agreements or letters of intent from power providers confirming they can serve the facility without disrupting existing customers.

The ordinance places strict limits on cooling water sources and systems. Medium and Large facilities are prohibited from sourcing cooling water from on-site wells, municipal connections or surface waters including the Lake of the Ozarks; they must capture runoff from new impervious surfaces and store a minimum volume (2.5 gallons per gross square foot of building area) for cooling make-up water, with limited monthly permits for drought exceptions. Evaporative chillers are banned; closed‑loop cooling is required. Industrial cooling discharge must be routed to approved industrial evaporators or hauled to a Missouri Department of Natural Resources‑licensed treatment facility; surface or subsurface discharge after treatment is prohibited.

Noise, vibration and setback standards scale with facility size. The ordinance sets minimum setbacks from property lines and from the Lake of the Ozarks or classified streams that increase for larger facilities, requires sound attenuation for chillers and generators, and bans roof‑mounted generators. It also imposes escalating daily fines for noncompliance, suspension or revocation of CUPs and a 180‑day probationary period after reinstatement.

Section 9 prohibits data centers from receiving tax incentives or abatements, being included in special taxing districts, or being owned in whole or in part by foreign companies, port or airport authorities, or certain umbrella entities.

Commissioners voted to adopt the ordinance; the record shows the motion passed with recorded "aye" votes by Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton and Commissioner James Gohagan. Commissioner Steve Dougan is recorded in the meeting as present. The ordinance was attested by County Clerk Rowland Todd and approved as to form by County Attorney Charlie Dickman. The commission said it will share the ordinance text with neighboring counties.

The ordinance text will guide future Conditional Use Permit reviews and any development proposals for data centers in unincorporated Camden County.