Santa Clara directs staff to analyze potential improvements to data center regulations
The Santa Clara City Council unanimously directed city staff to study potential new data center regulations covering water use, air quality, health and safety, siting, community benefits and grid impacts. The review is expected to continue into late 2027, while possible votes on a data center moratorium and a ban on nondisclosure agreements were postponed.
The Santa Clara City Council approved a staff-led review of potential changes to the city’s data center regulations after residents and council members raised concerns about water consumption, air quality, health effects, noise and electricity demand. The study will examine recycled-water standards, residential buffer zones, heat capture, community benefits and grid-support measures, with some water and air analyses requested on an accelerated schedule.
Santa Clara has 56 built or under-construction data centers and two additional approved but unbuilt facilities. Silicon Valley Power has not accepted applications for new data centers since 2023 because power requests exceeded available capacity, although developers may continue submitting land-use requests. Residents urged stronger safeguards and a moratorium, while city officials said Santa Clara’s existing rules are robust; potential future votes on a moratorium and a ban on nondisclosure agreements were postponed.