Indio Extends Data Center Pause Another Year As City Works Toward Permanent Ban
The Indio City Council unanimously extended the city’s moratorium on new data centers through October 16, 2027. City staff are drafting permanent zoning changes that could ban data centers in several districts after reviewing the city’s specific plans and completing tribal consultation.
Indio City Council unanimously extended the city’s pause on new data center projects through Oct. 16, 2027. The moratorium blocks applications to build, convert or expand data centers, including artificial intelligence computing facilities and cryptocurrency mining operations, while allowing ordinary server rooms and public safety and utility communications facilities to continue.
The extension gives city staff more time to draft a permanent ban amid concerns about water use, electricity demand, pollution, noise and air quality. Planning and sustainability officials have supported a complete ban, and staff are reviewing more than 30 specific plans to prevent existing project-specific zoning rules from creating loopholes. Proposed development-code changes are expected to go before the Planning Commission and City Council, with a permanent ban targeted for early 2027.