Google Bypasses Iowa County's Data Center Zoning Rules

Tech giant seeks to annex land into nearby city to avoid water-use and economic agreements

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Google is seeking to bypass data center zoning rules recently adopted by Linn County, Iowa, by annexing the land for its proposed campus into the city of Palo, which is located two miles away. This move would free Google from the water-use and economic agreements that Linn County developed for unincorporated areas with input from the company's representatives. Though Palo is part of the county, the data center would be subject to the city's rules, not the county's.

Why it matters

The county's new ordinance was developed with Google's involvement and aimed to set guidelines for data center developers based on the experiences and zoning laws of communities across the nation. The ordinance requires data center developers in unincorporated areas to conduct a water study, enter into water-use and economic agreements with the county, and adhere to light and noise pollution rules as well as mandatory setbacks. Google's decision to bypass these protections has raised concerns about the regional impacts of the data center project.

The details

In October, Google informed the Linn County Board of Supervisors of plans to construct a six-building data center campus on 545 acres of unincorporated land adjacent to the Duane Arnold Energy Center. The county then developed an ordinance that set guidelines for data center developers, which Google representatives were closely involved in. However, Google bristled at requirements for public disclosure of water use and economic terms that included full property taxation. On February 26, the same day that the county told Google it would formally consider accepting an economic development plan, Google informed county staff it would instead pursue annexation into the city of Palo.

  • In October, Google informed the Linn County Board of Supervisors of plans to construct a data center campus.
  • In February, the Linn County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance setting guidelines for data center developers in unincorporated areas.
  • On February 26, Google informed the county it would pursue annexation into the city of Palo instead of accepting the county's economic development plan.

The players

Linn County

The county in Iowa where Google's proposed data center campus is located. Linn County developed an ordinance setting guidelines for data center developers in unincorporated areas.

Google

The tech giant that is seeking to construct a six-building data center campus on 545 acres of unincorporated land in Linn County, Iowa.

Palo

A city located two miles from Google's proposed data center site, which Google is seeking to annex the land into in order to bypass Linn County's zoning rules.

Sami Scheetz

Supervisor for Linn County's 2nd District, who called Google's move to bypass the county's zoning rules "fundamentally wrong."

Charlie Nichols

Director of planning and development for Linn County, who said the county did not expect Google to sidestep the protections in the county's ordinance by engaging directly with the city of Palo.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.