The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
City of Columbus
Anti-Data Center Policies
Columbus city has an enacted rule requiring case-by-case approval for data centers in some commercial and industrial districts, potentially adding delays; the description also calls it a recommendation, so its final details are unclear.
current law · City of ColumbusRequires certain data-center facilities to get case-by-case city approval before locating in specified commercial, public, or industrial districts.Indiana Ordinance No. 15 (2026)
What this means
If enacted, data centers in some commercial and industrial districts would need case-by-case approval, adding review and likely delays. This is a meaningful hurdle, but it is not a broad ban, and the minutes describe a recommendation rather than a final decision.
People behind it
- Melissa Begley
Prepared the proposed ordinance and submitted the memorandum describing the proposed change.
- City of Columbus–Bartholomew County Planning Department
Prepared the proposed ordinance, presented the proposed revisions, and manages the process for revisions to the development regulations.
- Planning Director
Shares principal responsibility for administering and enforcing the ordinance.
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- Chief Code Enforcement Officer
Shares principal responsibility for administering and enforcing the ordinance.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements7
A communication service exchange, which the meeting discussion identifies as including data centers, may locate only in the CO, CC, CR, P, I1, I2, and I3 districts. It is a conditional use in Columbus, but a permitted use in the Bartholomew County and Joint District jurisdictions; uses not listed as permitted or conditional are prohibited. Zoning districts and use status Proposed conditional-use revision
In Columbus, conditional-use approval requires Board of Zoning Appeals review at a public hearing and written findings that the proposal meets approval criteria. The Board may impose conditions, and approval may be terminated for noncompliance. Conditional-use approval Public hearing
A facility operating under conditional-use approval cannot be expanded, extended, or enlarged unless the Board reauthorizes the conditional use. Expansion restriction
A Zoning Compliance Certificate is required before a building permit for specified new structures, including structures over 120 square feet or on permanent foundations, and for a change of use. Application fees are required. Change of use Required fee
In the P district, an approved site development plan is required before a structure is erected, moved, occupied, or added to, or land is used or occupied. Review includes a public hearing and may impose conditions or recorded commitments. Site development plan requirement
In industrial districts, operations must meet standards limiting noise under applicable local ordinances and preventing objectionable odors at the boundary of a residential or commercial district, or objectionable vibration or glare at the property line, when detectable without instruments. Noise and odor standards Odor standard
Development in a special flood hazard area or 500-year floodplain requires a floodplain development permit. New structures generally must be elevated to or above the flood protection grade—two feet above the base flood elevation—or nonresidential structures may instead be floodproofed to that level. Outdoor storage of hazardous materials is prohibited in these areas. Floodplain permit Flood protection grade Hazardous-material storage restriction
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions3
Data processing/call centers are permitted uses in the CD, CDS, CO, CR, I1, and I2 districts. Data processing / call center
A communications service exchange, including facilities with computer systems and related equipment for processing data, is permitted in the CO, CC, CR, P, I1, I2, and I3 districts in County and Joint District jurisdictions. In Columbus, it is a conditional use in those districts and requires approval. Communication service exchange
Commercial, public/semi-public, and industrial districts require public water and sewer service, and water systems must provide adequate firefighting capacity. These requirements support infrastructure needs but do not guarantee that service capacity is available. Public water and sewer systems shall be required
Sources
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