Anniston AL 12-month data center moratorium (Resolution 26-R-97)
Anniston, AL (Calhoun County) — City Council 12-Month Data Center Moratorium (Resolution 26-R-97)
Anniston, AL · Anniston, AL City Council Resolution No. 26-R-97 (adopted August 18, 2026; effective immediately)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- August 18, 2027
- Applies to
- Data center developers seeking permits or approvals within Anniston city limits
- Enforced by
- Anniston City Council; Anniston Planning Commission
Anniston, Alabama (Calhoun County) City Council adopted Resolution No. 26-R-97 on August 18, 2026, imposing a 12-month moratorium on data center permitting, development, and licensing within Anniston's regulatory jurisdiction. The moratorium is effective immediately and bars new data center approvals through approximately August 18, 2027. City officials intend for the pause to allow the planning commission to study utility demand, cooling systems, stormwater impacts, transportation needs, and required separation from residential areas before adopting permanent regulations. The council may shorten or extend the 12-month period based on legislative judgment.
Who is protected: Anniston, AL residents from unregulated data center development during the planning period
Legal detail
Anniston (AL) City Council Resolution No. 26-R-97, adopted August 18, 2026, effective immediately. 12-month moratorium on permitting, development, and licensing of data centers within city regulatory jurisdiction (expires approximately August 18, 2027). City council retains authority to shorten or extend based on planning commission progress. Planning commission directed to study: utility demand impacts, cooling system requirements, stormwater effects, transportation needs, and separation standards from residential areas. Resolution frames the moratorium as a 'temporary planning measure' to ensure future proposals are governed by 'clear, predictable and enforceable standards' protecting residents, property owners, businesses, developers, taxpayers, public infrastructure, and the long-term interests of Anniston. Anniston is the county seat of Calhoun County in northeastern Alabama, approximately 60 miles east of Birmingham.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Anniston, AL |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | August 18, 2026 |
| Citation | Anniston, AL City Council Resolution No. 26-R-97 (adopted August 18, 2026; effective immediately) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| News report | City of Anniston adopts resolution establishing temporary moratorium on data centers — WBRC-TV (Aug 27, 2026) |
Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere
- Superior WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Dane County WI Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- Madison WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Manitowoc County WI Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Dayton OH data center moratorium (180-day, Apr 2026) · In effect
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