Data Centers in Lexington

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On June 9, 2026, the Urban County Council unanimously passed a moratorium on data center development in Lexington.

This action pauses permits, development plans, and zone changes related to data centers in Fayette County until October 31, 2026. Council also initiated a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) or the formal process to make changes to Lexington's zoning ordinances related to data centers.

Council wants to hear from you!

Share your thoughts, concerns, ideas, or questions and learn what your neighbors have to say about data centers in Fayette County by joining the online forum below!

There is also the "Idea Submission" tab that allows you to leave a digital "sticky note" for the community and the Council to see. Please share any benefits of, concerns about, or thoughts on locations for data centers.

Residents are also invited to send their feedback to staff in the Division of Planning by emailing: PlanningMailbox@LexingtonKY.gov.

As future updates (ordinance drafts, etc.) become available, residents will be invited to share further feedback.

Helpful Terms & Definitions:

A Data Center is the physical infrastructure that houses computer systems that store and process information. These facilities allow users to access webservices, analyze information, and support cloud storage. They come in an array of sizes and vary widely in terms of the power, water, and structural needs.

The Planning Commission is the appointed body that oversees numerous "land use" issues in Lexington; it reviews development plans for proposed projects, makes recommendations to Council when there is a zone change request, helps to craft and approves Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments (ZOTAs), etc.

Lexington's Zoning Ordinance regulates how land in Fayette County is developed and used.

  • A Conditional Use is an approved exception to the regular rules of the zone that a property is in; specific conditions must be met and requires special approval to address potential negative impacts.
  • A Principle or Permitted Use is the primary use of land or a main building, which use is compatible with the purpose of and permitted in the zone it's located in.
  • A Prohibited Use is any use of land which is not listed as permitted use or conditional use within a zone.

A Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) provides a means for the Planning Commission, Urban County Council, or a public Applicant to update the Zoning Ordinance. ZOTAs are not tied to a specific piece of property, but are based on the needs of the community as a whole.

A blue graphic titled “ZOTA Process – Council-Initiated.” Sub‑labels at the top read: “Zoning,” “Ordinance,” “Text,” and “Amendment,” each separated by small yellow dots. Below, a flowchart with yellow-outlined bubbles shows the steps in the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) process: Council Votes to Begin Process (Initiation) This text appears inside the first bubble on the left. An arrow points right to a second bubble labeled: Planning Staff Sends Out Community Notifications Another arrow points right to the third bubble labeled: Staff Provides Recommendation to Zoning Committee A downward arrow leads to a fourth bubble labeled: Zoning Committee Provides Recommendation to Planning Commission A left‑pointing arrow leads to a fifth bubble labeled: Planning Commission Recommends Approval & Forwards to Council (within 60 days of initiation) A left‑pointing arrow leads to a sixth bubble labeled: Council Holds Public Hearing and/or Conducts Legislative Readings Before Final Vote A downward arrow leads to a larger, centered bubble at the bottom that reads: Zoning Ordinance Text Amended At the bottom of the image is the Lexington city logo, which consists of a stylized horse and the word “LEXINGTON.”

Important / Upcoming Dates:

The dates below are scheduled for the Planning Commission to consider the draft rules and regulations related to data center facilities. The draft provided is a starting point for the Planning Commission to discuss these policies before sending along their final recommendations to the Council. Community members can provide in-person feedback on the drafted language at the Public Hearing on July 30, 2026 or by sending an email to: PlanningMailbox@lexingtonky.gov.

Meetings are open to the public and additional information can be found on the LFUCG calendar. Meeting information is subject to change.

  • July 2, 2026 - Planning Commission Zoning Committee - 1:30 PM in the 3rd Floor Conference Room of the Phoenix Building (101 E. Vine Street).
  • July 16, 2026 - Planning Commission Work Session - 1:30 PM in the 3rd Floor Conference Room of the Phoenix Building (101 E. Vine Street).
  • July 30, 2026 - Planning Commission Public Hearing on Data Center ZOTA - 1:30 PM in in Council Chambers (200 E. Main Street).


On June 9, 2026, the Urban County Council unanimously passed a moratorium on data center development in Lexington.

This action pauses permits, development plans, and zone changes related to data centers in Fayette County until October 31, 2026. Council also initiated a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) or the formal process to make changes to Lexington's zoning ordinances related to data centers.

Council wants to hear from you!

Share your thoughts, concerns, ideas, or questions and learn what your neighbors have to say about data centers in Fayette County by joining the online forum below!

There is also the "Idea Submission" tab that allows you to leave a digital "sticky note" for the community and the Council to see. Please share any benefits of, concerns about, or thoughts on locations for data centers.

Residents are also invited to send their feedback to staff in the Division of Planning by emailing: PlanningMailbox@LexingtonKY.gov.

As future updates (ordinance drafts, etc.) become available, residents will be invited to share further feedback.

Helpful Terms & Definitions:

A Data Center is the physical infrastructure that houses computer systems that store and process information. These facilities allow users to access webservices, analyze information, and support cloud storage. They come in an array of sizes and vary widely in terms of the power, water, and structural needs.

The Planning Commission is the appointed body that oversees numerous "land use" issues in Lexington; it reviews development plans for proposed projects, makes recommendations to Council when there is a zone change request, helps to craft and approves Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments (ZOTAs), etc.

Lexington's Zoning Ordinance regulates how land in Fayette County is developed and used.

  • A Conditional Use is an approved exception to the regular rules of the zone that a property is in; specific conditions must be met and requires special approval to address potential negative impacts.
  • A Principle or Permitted Use is the primary use of land or a main building, which use is compatible with the purpose of and permitted in the zone it's located in.
  • A Prohibited Use is any use of land which is not listed as permitted use or conditional use within a zone.

A Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) provides a means for the Planning Commission, Urban County Council, or a public Applicant to update the Zoning Ordinance. ZOTAs are not tied to a specific piece of property, but are based on the needs of the community as a whole.

A blue graphic titled “ZOTA Process – Council-Initiated.” Sub‑labels at the top read: “Zoning,” “Ordinance,” “Text,” and “Amendment,” each separated by small yellow dots. Below, a flowchart with yellow-outlined bubbles shows the steps in the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA) process: Council Votes to Begin Process (Initiation) This text appears inside the first bubble on the left. An arrow points right to a second bubble labeled: Planning Staff Sends Out Community Notifications Another arrow points right to the third bubble labeled: Staff Provides Recommendation to Zoning Committee A downward arrow leads to a fourth bubble labeled: Zoning Committee Provides Recommendation to Planning Commission A left‑pointing arrow leads to a fifth bubble labeled: Planning Commission Recommends Approval & Forwards to Council (within 60 days of initiation) A left‑pointing arrow leads to a sixth bubble labeled: Council Holds Public Hearing and/or Conducts Legislative Readings Before Final Vote A downward arrow leads to a larger, centered bubble at the bottom that reads: Zoning Ordinance Text Amended At the bottom of the image is the Lexington city logo, which consists of a stylized horse and the word “LEXINGTON.”

Important / Upcoming Dates:

The dates below are scheduled for the Planning Commission to consider the draft rules and regulations related to data center facilities. The draft provided is a starting point for the Planning Commission to discuss these policies before sending along their final recommendations to the Council. Community members can provide in-person feedback on the drafted language at the Public Hearing on July 30, 2026 or by sending an email to: PlanningMailbox@lexingtonky.gov.

Meetings are open to the public and additional information can be found on the LFUCG calendar. Meeting information is subject to change.

  • July 2, 2026 - Planning Commission Zoning Committee - 1:30 PM in the 3rd Floor Conference Room of the Phoenix Building (101 E. Vine Street).
  • July 16, 2026 - Planning Commission Work Session - 1:30 PM in the 3rd Floor Conference Room of the Phoenix Building (101 E. Vine Street).
  • July 30, 2026 - Planning Commission Public Hearing on Data Center ZOTA - 1:30 PM in in Council Chambers (200 E. Main Street).


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    Please share your ideas, concerns, and/or questions about data centers in Lexington with the Urban County Council. 

    Please share your ideas, concerns, and/or questions about data centers in Lexington with the Urban County Council. 

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Page last updated: 09 Jul 2026, 03:54 PM