Jackson County extends moratorium on high-density computing facilities through Aug. 2027

The Jackson County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to extend a temporary moratorium on acceptance and approval of applications for high-density computing and data-processing facilities in unincorporated parts of the county through Aug. 4, 2027.

Becca Fuha, the county zoning administrator, told the board the moratorium is “not [to] permanently prohibit these facilities. It is intended to preserve the county's ability to complete a thoughtful and legally defensible ordinance before an application is submitted under our existing regulations.” She said staff and the zoning commission have held a joint public work session, reviewed public comment and researched how other counties regulate data-center development.

Supervisors discussed the need for additional technical and legal input and some members asked staff to circulate the most recent packet materials; Fuha said she would send the updated documents to the board. A motion to extend the moratorium was moved and seconded and carried without recorded opposition.

The moratorium, as explained by Fuha, will remain in effect until 08/04/2027 unless terminated earlier upon adoption of the county's high-density computing facility regulation. The extension is intended to give staff time to complete ordinance review, obtain external technical and legal input, and conduct the required public hearing process before any application can be considered.