Perris bans data centers, is first in western Riverside County to do so
The Perris City Council voted unanimously to ban data centers within the city, making Perris the first city in western Riverside County to adopt such a prohibition. Residents cited concerns about water use, electricity demand, utility costs, noise and light pollution, while a separate data center proposal at the state-owned Perris fairgrounds remains outside the city ban.
The Perris City Council voted 5-0 on Oct. 13 to prohibit data centers within city limits after the proposal received strong public support and backing from the city’s planning commission. Councilmember Marisela Nava said the ban would protect the community, while Councilmember Malcolm Corona argued Perris should prevent developers from turning to cities without similar restrictions.
Residents raised concerns about data centers’ potential water consumption, electricity demand, noise, light pollution and effects on utility bills. A separate developer proposal for a small data center at the state-owned Perris fairgrounds would not be covered by the city’s ban because the property is outside city jurisdiction; opponents are seeking to stop that project before it reaches the fairgrounds board.