Dinuba Bans Data Centers Citywide in Zoning Update
Dinuba’s City Council unanimously adopted zoning amendments that effectively prohibit data centers throughout the city by listing no zones where they may be built. Officials cited the facilities’ heavy water and energy use, while leaving open the possibility of reconsidering the ban if the technology becomes more efficient.
The Dinuba City Council unanimously approved a rewritten zoning ordinance on Oct. 27 that effectively bans data centers within city limits. Although data centers appear in the ordinance’s permitted-use tables, no zoning district allows them, leaving no legal site for construction. The amendments were presented by city staffer Karl Schoettler and followed a first reading on Oct. 13.
The city cited concerns about data centers’ water and electricity demands. Councilmember Kuldip Thusu supported the prohibition but said the city could revisit it if technology improves, a position echoed by the Dinuba Planning Commission. The ordinance does not prohibit ordinary server rooms or telecommunications infrastructure supporting local businesses.
The ban is part of a broader wave of California local restrictions on data centers, as cities respond to projected resource demands and statewide development. The same Dinuba zoning package established an 88-color palette for commercial buildings, while proposed building-maintenance standards were discussed but not formally adopted.