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Council enacts 180‑day moratorium on utility‑scale data centers in unincorporated Cache County
Summary
Cache County adopted Ordinance 2026‑32 instituting a 180‑day pause on accepting or processing applications for large data centers in unincorporated areas so staff can draft permanent zoning and code amendments; planners and councilors said no applications are currently pending but the pause is a proactive readiness step.
The Cache County Council voted to enact a 180‑day moratorium on utility‑scale data centers in unincorporated parts of the county to give Development Services time to prepare permanent zoning and code language.
Brian Abbott, representing Development Services, told the council current zoning and construction standards lack clear definitions and regulatory language to manage industrial‑scale digital installations adjacent to agricultural and residential zones. Under Ordinance 2026‑32 the county will not accept, review or process applications for data centers in any zone during the 180‑day pause while staff evaluates whether to add specific permitting standards or prohibit such developments.
Abbott and councilors emphasized the moratorium was precautionary: “We have not received any interest that we're aware of of somebody wanting to put a data center,” one councilor said, and that the intent is to be proactive if future proposals arise. The moratorium applies only to unincorporated county property and does not affect incorporated municipalities, whose zoning decisions remain their own.
The council suspended the rules for immediate adoption and passed Ordinance 2026‑32 by voice vote. Staff said planning staff will workshop and coordinate with the planning commission and the council while drafting permanent code text amendments.
Next steps: Development Services and planning staff will draft proposed code text and present findings and proposed amendments to the planning commission and the council during the 180‑day moratorium period.
