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.
Jefferson County
Anti-Data Center Policies
Jefferson County has enacted a rule limiting data centers to I-3 zoning, preventing new facilities or expansions in other districts; development remains possible in I-3.
current law · County measureProposes amending Jefferson County’s zoning resolution to regulate data centers and IT/AI data centers, including facilities housing computing infrastructure and supporting advanced workloads such as AI processing.Jefferson County Resolution 2025-63 (2025)
What this means
The proposal would limit data centers to the I-3 zone, preventing new facilities or expansions in other zoning districts (only permitted in the I-3 Zone). That is a significant siting restriction, though it is not a countywide ban because development would remain possible in I-3.
People behind it
- Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
Requested consideration of the zoning amendments and scheduled the public hearing on Resolution 2025-63.
- Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission
Considered the proposed zoning amendments and recorded approval of Resolution 2025-63 on November 25, 2025.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Data centers and IT/AI data centers are prohibited in all zoning districts except the I-3 zoning district, where they are permitted.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Allows data centers and IT/AI data centers to be located in the I-3 zoning district; they are not permitted in other zoning districts.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data