California Data Center Investment Tracker

The project would be the largest data center in California at roughly 950,000 square feet, with a power draw that KPBS reports as approaching double Imperial County's entire 2024 electricity consumption, its own substation, a large battery system and a natural gas generator bank for backup, and a water demand of 750,000 gallons per day. It was promoted as producing 2,500 construction jobs and $28.7M a year in tax revenue, and the developer states the county's economic study found $100 million a year in county-directed public benefits. The developer, Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing LLC of Huntington Beach, sought to avoid environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act in order to begin construction quickly. On 7 April 2026 the Board of Supervisors approved a lot merger for the project by 4-1, with Supervisor Martha Cardenas-Singh dissenting. County planners described the lot merger as the only step where the county has discretion over whether the project moves forward, and stated that the project cannot receive a certificate of occupancy until the developer secures confirmed power and water supplies. County officials restricted residents from entering the hearing citing fire safety limits, and deputies removed at least three protesters. Opponents raised grid strain, water depletion, air quality and the absence of environmental analysis; the group NIMBY Imperial began a recall effort against Supervisor Peggy Price and collected signatures for a November ballot measure to ban data centers on unincorporated county land. The City of Imperial sought an emergency court order to halt the April vote and is suing the county. Supervisors had earlier approved a parcel merger and then imposed a moratorium after public outcry. The developer has separately sued the City of Imperial in federal court. On 1 September 2026 Imperial County Superior Court Judge L. Brooks Anderholt issued a tentative decision finding that the county prejudicially abused its discretion by approving the lot merger without first completing the CEQA review required for the whole project, writing that the grading, lot merger, road vacation, electrical facilities, water systems and related infrastructure serve one objective, the construction and operation of the data center campus. County planners must restart the approval process and complete a full Environmental Impact Report addressing energy demand, water supply and drainage, the battery system, and the pollution and greenhouse gas potential of the natural gas generators. The decision is tentative and both parties may comment before a final ruling. The developer said it would seek a hearing to contest the findings. Alene Taber, counsel for the City of Imperial, said the decision vindicates residents' concerns. Separately, Judge Jeffrey Jones issued a preliminary decision in August 2026 indicating he would strike down the county's emergency data center moratorium for want of evidence of an immediate threat to public health or safety, and the county has confirmed it was directed to set the moratorium aside. KPBS notes that Anderholt's documentation of environmental risk may strengthen the county's case for reimposing moratorium protections. On 9 September 2026 the ruling became final: Judge Anderholt set aside the lot merger approval granted by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors in April 2026, and county planners must restart the approval process and complete a full CEQA environmental review before the project can proceed. The suit was brought by the City of Imperial and the San Diego and Imperial Counties chapter of the Sierra Club. KPBS reports the developer, identified as Sebastian Rucci of Huntington Beach, said he plans to appeal the decision and to explore alternative project locations further from residential areas. On Tuesday 6 October 2026 the Board of Supervisors adopted an urgency ordinance repealing and setting aside moratorium Ordinances 1616 (adopted 16 June 2026) and 1618 (adopted 14 July 2026), complying with the peremptory writ of mandate issued 11 September 2026 after Superior Court Judge Jeffrey B. Jones ruled on 4 September 2026 for Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing that the county had not made the findings state law requires for an urgency ordinance. At the same meeting the board held a hearing and adopted a new interim moratorium on data center approvals in unincorporated areas under Government Code section 65858, replacing the old one (term not stated in the fetched report), and discussed placing a data center measure before voters; a special election would cost about $500,000. The separate CEQA case still requires a full environmental impact report.

5-month delay

Eight Form proposed replacing a Hyatt Place hotel at 750 N. Nash Street with a 160-foot, five-story data center and dedicated substation. The developer withdrew the proposal on 9 July 2026 at a contentious Planning Commission hearing. Opposition centered on the project's electricity demand.

Alhambra, California, enacted a local data center moratorium or ban, recorded in SAVRN's moratorium tracker as dated June 2026. Ordinance O2M26-4863 (effective 1 August 2026) prohibits data centers in office and industrial zones. Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval (Resolution 26-07). Measure DB on the 3 November 2026 ballot would extend the ban to all zones and lock it into the city charter, requiring voter approval to reverse. If passed, Alhambra would be the second CA city after Monterey Park to enact a voter-approved permanent ban. The measure has no end date by design.

The Arcata City Council voted 5-0 on Wednesday 16 September 2026 to adopt an interim urgency ordinance halting the receipt, processing or approval of land-use applications for data centers for 45 days, effective immediately. Staff said the city code has no definition or regulatory framework for data centers. The council may extend the moratorium for up to 10 months and 15 days, and then for a further 12 months.

The Brawley City Council voted 3-2 on Tuesday 19 May 2026 to approve a temporary moratorium on large-scale data centers within city limits, with Councilmembers Kelley and Grass dissenting. Council members described a one-year pause to define data centers in the city code and study environmental, fiscal and infrastructure impacts. The vote followed a similar pause in neighboring Calipatria.

The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors approved a 45-day moratorium on data center construction by 4-0 on 25 August 2026, with Board Chair Benjamin Stopper absent. The moratorium covers all data centers, including those under 5,000 square feet, and can be extended for up to two years. Planning Director Bret Sampson said county ordinances do not address data centers; the board directed staff to study allowing smaller data centers as a secondary use.

City Council adopted a permanent citywide data center ban on second reading 3-0 on Wednesday 16 September 2026, adding Article XII to Chapter 17.11; it takes effect 30 days after adoption. It is the third such ban in California after Monterey Park and Coachella.

Campus shelved; moratorium extended to ~one year; permanent-ban draft approved by Planning Commission On 26 August 2026 the Coachella City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 1231, a permanent ban on data centers within city limits, after approving a first reading on 12 August. Accessory server rooms are exempt. The ordinance takes effect 30 days after adoption. KESQ described the campus site as 240-plus acres near Fillmore Street and Avenue 52.

Desert Hot Springs, California, enacted a local data center moratorium or ban, recorded in SAVRN's moratorium tracker as dated June 2026. 45-day urgency ordinance extended unanimously on Jul 7 by 22 months 15 days, the full two years California law allows. The measure runs to 17 June 2028.

At a special meeting on Wednesday 30 September 2026 the Dixon City Council voted unanimously to impose a 45-day urgency moratorium on approving new land-use applications for data centers, also covering battery energy storage systems, while staff review impacts on water, air, noise and the tax base. There are no data center projects proposed or established in the city. Council members said the moratorium will likely be extended; state law allows two further extensions with a four-fifths vote.

El Monte, California, enacted a local data center moratorium or ban, recorded in SAVRN's moratorium tracker as dated March 2026. Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 3063 (45-day moratorium); extended Apr 22 by Ordinance No. 3065 (7-0) for 10 months 15 days under Gov. Code 65858. Prohibits accepting or processing new data center land use applications. The measure runs to 2 February 2027.

The Escondido City Council unanimously approved a 45-day urgency moratorium on 26 August 2026 prohibiting new data centers and the expansion or intensification of existing facilities. It can be extended by 10 months and 15 days and then up to another year. Staff are to return with findings by 10 October 2026. The city said the measure was proactive and not prompted by a proposal.

The Eureka City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday 1 September 2026 to adopt an urgency ordinance establishing a 45-day moratorium on data center siting in the city's inland and coastal zones, effective immediately. City staff will develop zoning standards and regulatory controls, and the council can extend the moratorium for up to two years. City Manager Miles Slattery said the city has no applications but has had inquiries about properties within city limits.

On 3 September 2026 the Fresno City Council unanimously directed staff to draft a text amendment banning data centers for 10 years. The ban would apply to current city land and future annexations, and council must be notified immediately of any data center use application. The planning director said the amendment could take a few months to a year. The ban itself has not been adopted.

Gilroy City Council voted unanimously on 14 September 2026 to adopt a 45-day interim urgency ordinance barring the city from accepting, processing or approving applications and entitlements for new data centers. The moratorium expires 29 October 2026 unless renewed and can be extended to a total of two years under California Government Code Section 65858. It does not apply to the Amazon data center under construction on a 56-acre site at 8050 Camino Arroyo, approved in 2025 by the community development director. Staff will return with objective zoning, development and operational standards covering water, grid capacity, backup generator emissions and noise.

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved a 45-day urgency moratorium on new data center developments in unincorporated areas by a 4-1 vote on Tuesday 6 October 2026, with Supervisor Rex Bohn dissenting. The motion was amended to exempt facilities using less than 15 MW sourced from 100% renewable energy and operating a closed-loop system. The moratorium took effect immediately and can be extended up to two years while staff draft zoning standards; the county has received no data center applications.

The Indio City Council voted unanimously to extend its temporary moratorium on new data center developments, first adopted as a 45-day urgency ordinance the previous month. The city is reviewing land use, infrastructure, water, energy demand and community compatibility before deciding whether a permanent ban is appropriate. On Wednesday 7 October 2026 the City Council unanimously approved a final one-year extension of the moratorium on new data center development applications, keeping it in effect through 16 October 2027. The original 45-day urgency ordinance was adopted unanimously on 3 June 2026 and extended for 90 days in July 2026.

Lake Elsinore, California, enacted a local data center moratorium or ban, recorded in SAVRN's moratorium tracker as dated August 2026. Emergency ordinance establishing 45-day moratorium on new data center applications. Unanimous vote. Requested by Councilmember Steve Manos after resident concerns. City zoning code does not specifically address data centers. The measure runs to 9 October 2026.

Regional Planning Director Amy Bodek used her authority on 17 September 2026 to immediately prohibit large-scale data centers in unincorporated areas while a permanent zoning amendment, to be brought by Supervisor Hilda Solis, proceeds. On Tuesday 6 October 2026 Supervisor Hilda Solis' motion directing Regional Planning to draft the permanent zoning amendment prohibiting large-scale data centers in unincorporated areas was referred back to her office, with no date set for its return to the board.

The Marina City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to enact a 45-day urgency moratorium on new data centers. No data center applications will be accepted during the pause. The ordinance was not prompted by a current application but is meant to give time to assess resource impacts and develop policy.

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on 1 September 2026 to adopt an urgency ordinance barring new data centers in unincorporated areas. It runs 45 days, through 16 October 2026, and can be extended up to two years under state law. It applies to use, variance, grading and building permits, with exemptions for server closets, office computers and utility facilities. On Tuesday 6 October 2026 supervisors voted 4-1 (Supervisor Maureen Mulheren opposed) to extend the moratorium by 22 months and 15 days, to 21 August 2028, the longest period state law allows, and to exempt facilities drawing less than 3 MW.

Morgan Hill, California, enacted a local data center moratorium or ban, recorded in SAVRN's moratorium tracker as dated August 2026. 45-day urgency moratorium covering data centers AND grid-scale battery energy storage. Unanimous vote. City has no zoning standards for either use. Extendable up to 2 years under CA Gov. Code 65858. The measure runs to 10 October 2026.

The Oakland City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on new data centers on the night of Tuesday 6 October 2026, sponsored by Councilmember Carroll Fife. The pause gives the city time to study effects on water supply, the power grid and air quality and to draft a regulatory framework; it can be extended after 45 days.

Oakley, California, enacted a local data center moratorium or ban, recorded in SAVRN's moratorium tracker as dated January 2026. Initial 45-day urgency ordinance Apr 15; extended May 16 for 10 months 15 days (through ~April 2027). Working toward permanent ban. Voted 5-0 on extension. The measure runs to 14 April 2027.

The city council voted unanimously on 26 August 2026 to adopt a 45-day moratorium on large-scale data centers, in effect through 10 October 2026, to study impacts before deciding whether further regulation is needed. Council members referenced the possibility of a longer comprehensive zoning process. Residents raised water use, electricity demand and the supplemental cooling required in a desert climate. On Wednesday 30 September 2026 the city council extended the moratorium on accepting, processing or approving data center applications and permits by 22 months and 15 days, through 25 August 2028, for a total of two years, carrying the four-fifths vote state law requires to extend an urgency ordinance. Planning Director Chris Hadwin said the time will be used to write data center standards, permitted uses and locations into the ongoing zoning code update; the moratorium is meant to be rescinded when the new code is adopted.

Patterson, California, enacted a local data center moratorium or ban, recorded in SAVRN's moratorium tracker as dated July 2026. Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 889 (initial 45-day). Extended unanimously Aug 18 via Ordinance No. 890 for 10 months 15 days. Data centers were previously permitted by right in industrial zones. Key concern is water, city faces state requirements to reduce groundwater pumping. The measure runs to 15 July 2027.

Richmond City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to adopt a 45-day moratorium on new data center development, making Richmond the third Bay Area city to do so after Oakley and Gilroy. As amended, the city may continue accepting applications during the moratorium but may not approve them or issue permits. Staff outlined a timeline that includes a moratorium report and extension within the 45 days. There are no pending data center applications in the city.

Awaiting power; "could be years"

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday 6 October 2026 to pass a 45-day moratorium on new data centers citywide, including permit applications to expand existing facilities, effective immediately. The measure was introduced by District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton. It pauses the planned expansion of NOVVA's 400 Paul Avenue data center in Bayview from 9 MW to 36 MW and a proposed 160,000 sq ft data center at 1215 Michigan Street in Dogpatch. It can be extended for up to 22 months while permanent controls are considered.

At its Tuesday 1 September 2026 meeting the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors directed the Community Development Department to study large-scale AI data centers and research a possible moratorium, with a vote on an initial 45-day pause expected in October 2026. The county code has no definition of a data center, and staff said they need at least six months. Supervisor Robert Rickman said the county has no active applications and should set policy first. The board could formalize the 45-day pause in October after staff share initial findings. On Tuesday 6 October 2026 the Board of Supervisors approved an interim urgency ordinance establishing a 45-day moratorium on land use approvals for new data center development in unincorporated San Joaquin County, while staff study whether the General Plan, zoning and infrastructure standards address large-scale AI data centers (vote count not reported).

SVP capped new data center approvals; moratorium on new power connections; approvals stopped after June 2025

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday 15 September 2026 rejected Supervisor Justin Cummings' proposal to draft an ordinance and March 2028 ballot measure requiring voter approval for AI data centers in unincorporated areas. Board Chair Monica Martinez and supervisors Manu Koenig and Kim De Serpa voted no, saying it was too early for sweeping decisions. The measure would have required majority voter approval before General Plan amendments allowing zoning, permitting, construction or operation of AI data centers.

Moratorium extended from 45 days to one year; permanent-ban ballot measure pending; city enacted a ban Jun 2026

The county adopted a 45-day moratorium covering unincorporated areas while it considers longer-term rules; local organizers are pushing for a permanent ban. The original 45-day moratorium was adopted on 18 August 2026 and covers acceptance, processing, approval or issuance of land entitlements for new data centers in unincorporated areas. On Tuesday 22 September 2026 the Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to extend it by 10 months and 15 days, the maximum under the urgency ordinance before another extension would be needed, and then voted 3-2 to adopt a position opposing data center development in the county with an exception for enterprise facilities.