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.
Clackamas County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Slightly Anti-Data Center Policies
Clackamas County has enacted a temporary pause on approvals for new data centers and expansions in unincorporated areas, lasting 120 days with a possible six-month extension. Existing centers may continue operating.
Rating from Oregon statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Clackamas County.
Specific to Clackamas County only.
current law · Unincorporated Clackamas CountyClackamas County unanimously adopts a temporary moratorium on data-center development in unincorporated areas on October 22, 2026.Clackamas County Data Center Moratorium (2026)
What this means
The measure would temporarily block county approval of new data centers and expansions in unincorporated Clackamas County for 120 days, with a possible six-month extension. This would substantially delay covered projects, but existing centers could keep operating and the restriction is limited in time and area.
Timing
Effective immediately on October 22, 2026 for 120 days, unless earlier extended or repealed. Exact calendar expiration is not stated and has not been inferred. Draft minutes describe a possible six-month extension only after another public hearing and findings of continuing need and reasonable progress. Signed final resolution text and final number were not located.
People behind it
- Diana Helm
Commissioner; moves adoption of the moratorium resolution.
- Paul Savas
Commissioner; seconds the adoption motion.
- Craig Roberts
Board chair; participates in the unanimous adoption.
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- Martha Schrader
Vice chair presiding at the October 22 meeting; participates in the unanimous adoption.
- Ben West
Commissioner participating in the unanimous adoption.
- Caleb Huegel
Assistant County Counsel submitting the second-hearing memorandum.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
Draft minutes describe suspension of county approval of land-use and building permits for new data centers or expansions of existing data centers as primary uses in unincorporated Clackamas County. County announcement confirms an immediately effective 120-day moratorium unless earlier extended or repealed.
The unsigned hearing-packet draft, not a located signed final, would prohibit accepting, processing, or approving any new application for new or expanded primary-use data centers in unincorporated areas.
The unsigned draft definition includes colocation, cloud computing, AI training or inference, and digital asset mining and excludes telecommunications centers primarily carrying communications rather than hosting or processing end-user data. Final wording remains unverified.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions5
The EOA recommends targeting transportation and utility infrastructure alongside annexation to make employment sites ready for development and meet short-term employment-land needs. in conjunction with annexation to meet short-term employment land supply forecasts
The EOA recommends incentives for land readiness and land aggregation to support industrial expansion and recruitment; a data center’s eligibility is not guaranteed. incentives focused on land readiness together with land aggregation
The EOA recommends considering incentives for higher-density development, including uses with relatively low jobs per acre; any incentives would depend on future implementation and eligibility requirements. incentives as a means to leverage increased density
The EOA recommends considering urban renewal as an economic-development funding tool, limited to designated renewal districts. urban renewal as a potential economic development funding tool within designated renewal districts
The EOA recommends opportunities for large-acreage major-employer campuses of up to 600 acres or more, without guaranteeing approval of a data center or designating a specific parcel. large acreage, major employer campuses of up to 600+ acres
Sources
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