Imperial County reverses course, unanimously approves data center moratorium after intense community pushback
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an immediate 45-day moratorium on new data center approvals in unincorporated areas, reversing an earlier stance. This decision follows intense community pushback and aims to allow the county time to study the long-term impacts of data center development. An advisory committee has also been established to recommend new zoning protections.
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors has unanimously enacted an immediate 45-day moratorium on the approval of all new data center facilities within the county's unincorporated territories. This decisive action, taken on Tuesday, marks a significant reversal from the board's earlier position, which had seen a contentious 4-1 vote weeks prior approving a lot merge for a pending data center project. The freeze was driven by mounting public anxiety and intense community pushback regarding the rapid growth of the technology sector in the region.
The interim ordinance, which required a four-fifths majority under California Government Code section 65858, received unanimous support from the supervisors. The board stated in its formal findings that "there is a current and immediate threat to public health, safety, and welfare if permits or entitlements for construction of new data center facilities are issued," citing concerns about unsupervised development conflicting with forthcoming zoning protections.
The temporary freeze is intended to provide the county with time to thoroughly study the long-term impacts of the data center industry, which includes not only large computer storage buildings but also extensive accessory infrastructure such as electrical substations, backup generators, and cooling mechanisms. Residents and advocates have raised specific concerns about these facilities being built too close to schools, residential neighborhoods, and other sensitive areas.
To guide a sustainable path forward, the supervisors also approved a resolution to establish a 19-member Data Center Advisory Committee. This diverse panel, comprising two county supervisors, representatives from all seven incorporated cities, labor unions, environmental groups, healthcare providers, schools, non-profits, and energy and business sectors, is tasked with evaluating potential amendments to the county’s General Plan and Codified Ordinances. The committee will specifically focus on setting strict location and proximity standards and identifying suitable regions for high-density technology infrastructure, with policy recommendations due by October 1, 2026. The Board retains the authority to extend the moratorium if needed.