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Cache County imposes 180-day moratorium on utility-scale data centers in unincorporated areas
Summary
Ordinance 2026-32 establishes a temporary 180-day pause on accepting applications related to utility-scale data centers and associated infrastructure in unincorporated Cache County while staff and the Planning Commission draft permanent land-use text amendments.
The Cache County Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2026-32 on June 23, enacting a temporary 180-day moratorium on utility-scale data center development in unincorporated county lands. Development Services Director Brian Abbott told the council that current county zoning and construction codes lack definitions or clear standards to manage large digital installations adjacent to residential and agricultural zones, prompting a precautionary pause to allow the Planning Commission to draft permanent text amendments.
Chair Sandi Goodlander clarified during discussion that the county had not received any inquiries but that the pause is proactive, not reactionary. Council members emphasized the moratorium applies only to unincorporated county territory and does not supersede municipal zoning authority. The ordinance directs county staff and the Planning Commission to report back with draft code changes within 150 days and suspends incomplete applications received but not deemed complete prior to the ordinance’s effective date.
The temporary regulation aims to allow time for study and public input on potential impacts including grid load, water demands, and land-use compatibility. The ordinance takes effect immediately upon passage and remains in force for 180 days unless extended or replaced by a subsequent ordinance.
