Data center restrictions tracker · Alabama

Columbiana, Alabama: data center zoning exclusion (2026)

Data snapshot 2026-08-15 · part of Pricing the Fear of Data Centers

Columbiana, in Shelby County, Alabama, adopted a data-center zoning exclusion on February 17, 2026. Its status in this snapshot is enacted.

The record reads: "Columbiana City Council unanimously approved a new ordinance imposing zoning restrictions on future data centers, becoming the first Alabama municipality to pass such restrictions ($200M). Requirements include: 60 ft max height (including… (datacentertracker.org)."

Details

ActionClassStatusDateMW thresholdScopeSource
Zoning exclusionrestrictionenactedFebruary 17, 2026not county-widedatacentertracker.org

Jurisdiction type: municipality. County: Shelby County. Dataset: datacentertracker. Snapshot August 15, 2026; documented actions, not a census.

Alabama context

Alabama has 14 documented local actions across 13 jurisdictions in this snapshot. There is no statewide restriction, incentive rollback, or large-load tariff on record for Alabama in this snapshot.

A town that says no to a data center gives up local tax revenue, not jobs: one large campus pays $2M to $90M a year depending on the tax regime, against roughly 50 permanent jobs. The parent piece prices it and lists the conditions that beat a ban.

Sources

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