Alabama
Favorable / IncentivesAlabama offers tax incentives for data center development, but local pushback spread rapidly in mid-2026. Birmingham enacted a 6-month moratorium on large data centers (>20 MW) in March 2026, and in June 2026 Leeds, Homewood, Cullman, and Fort Payne each adopted their own data center moratoriums while reviewing zoning rules. The wave reached east-central Alabama in August 2026: Anniston adopted Resolution 26-R-97 on August 18 imposing a 12-month moratorium on data center permitting, development and licensing within its regulatory jurisdiction (with a Planning Commission study due in six months), and Westover's council unanimously passed a six-month moratorium the same night after residents opposed a proposed 437-acre project near Cheshire Drive. In early September 2026 Harpersville adopted a proactive six-month moratorium, and Fort Payne unanimously enacted an ordinance making data centers and battery storage conditional uses requiring zoning board review and public hearings while its moratorium runs through December 15. Foley joined the wave on September 14, 2026 with a six-month moratorium on data center, cryptocurrency-mining and server-farm applications while it updates water, air-pollution and noise ordinances.
Local Actions
City Council voted unanimously to enact a 6-month moratorium on data centers requiring >20 MW. Exempts DC Blox and Nebius AI Factory.
City Council passed a one-year moratorium on data centers in early June 2026.
City Council approved a 12-month moratorium (extendable by six months) on data centers on June 22, 2026.
City Council unanimously imposed a 12-month moratorium on June 22, 2026 and referred a prohibition zoning amendment to the Planning Commission.
City Council unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on data centers on June 16, 2026.
City Council adopted Resolution No. 26-R-97 on August 18, 2026, a 12-month moratorium (effective immediately, extendable or shortenable) on the permitting, development and licensing of data centers within its regulatory jurisdiction. Directs the Planning Commission to study siting, lot sizes, electrical demand, water use, stormwater, backup generators and noise, and report within six months.
City Council unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on data centers on August 18, 2026, after residents voiced concerns over a proposed 437-acre data center project near Cheshire Drive. Officials will review zoning and community impact conditions during the pause.
The town adopted a six-month data center moratorium in early September 2026 as a proactive measure despite no developer interest, with monthly informational sessions planned on energy, water and environmental concerns.
City Council unanimously approved an ordinance classifying data centers and battery storage as conditional uses in manufacturing and warehouse zones, requiring Board of Zoning Adjustment review and public hearings; the city's six-month moratorium remains in effect through December 15, 2026.
Foley approved a 6-month moratorium on September 14, 2026 halting data center, cryptocurrency-mining and server-farm applications while the city updates ordinances covering water, air pollution and noise.