Palm Springs Extends Data Center Moratorium To 2 Years
The Palm Springs City Council unanimously extended the city’s urgency moratorium on data centers by 22 months and 15 days, creating a two-year pause on accepting or approving related applications. The extension gives city staff time to address environmental, resource, land-use and community-benefit concerns during a zoning code update.
The Palm Springs City Council unanimously extended its urgency moratorium on data centers by 22 months and 15 days, bringing the total pause to two years. The moratorium bars the city from accepting, processing or approving data center applications and permits while staff develop regulations for the land use as part of a broader zoning code update.
Planning Director Chris Hadwin said the moratorium was prompted by concerns about environmental impacts, resource demands, employment and community benefits. Councilmember Grace Garner encouraged residents and other stakeholders to participate in the upcoming zoning discussions, which will determine whether and where data centers may be allowed in Palm Springs.
The action comes amid broader data center restrictions in Riverside County. Coachella permanently banned data centers in August, while Indio and Perris are pursuing possible bans, Desert Hot Springs is studying potential impacts, and a Riverside committee has recommended a temporary pause.