Los Angeles County Bans Data Center Development in Unincorporated Areas
Los Angeles County has enacted a temporary moratorium on new data center development in its unincorporated areas, with plans to make it permanent due to public health and environmental concerns. This action mirrors similar bans implemented by nearby cities like Monterey Park, El Monte, and Baldwin Park, driven by significant community opposition.
Los Angeles County officials have ordered an immediate, temporary halt to new artificial intelligence data center developments in unincorporated areas of the county. Amy Bodek, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, indicated that the ban is expected to remain in place as zoning amendments are processed to make the prohibition permanent.
The action follows an April motion by Board Chair and 1st District Supervisor Hilda Solis, who cited public health and environmental concerns raised by San Gabriel Valley residents. This move by Los Angeles County adds to a growing trend of restrictions on data centers in the region.
Monterey Park, a city within Los Angeles County, became the first municipality in the nation to ban data centers this summer after residents opposed a proposed 218,400-square-foot facility by SDCF Monterey Park LLC. Voters in the city approved Measure NDC in June, prohibiting such facilities. Similarly, El Monte and Baldwin Park imposed yearlong bans in April. Residents' concerns primarily revolve around potential air, land, and water pollution, as well as the broader impacts of large industrial facilities on quality of life, including increased electric bills and strain on home water supplies. Solis has stated that further actions are anticipated to codify the county’s ban and implement recommendations from various county departments.