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Palo Alto County adopts one-year moratorium on data center applications
Summary
On July 7 the Palo Alto County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 7-8-2026 imposing a temporary moratorium on acceptance, processing and approval of data center applications in unincorporated county areas through July 8, 2027, or earlier if regulations are adopted.
The Palo Alto County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on July 7, 2026 to adopt Resolution No. 7-8-2026, imposing a temporary moratorium on the acceptance, processing and approval of applications for any class of data center in unincorporated areas of the county. The moratorium takes effect immediately and will remain in place until July 8, 2027 or until the county adopts ordinances addressing data centers, whichever occurs sooner.
The resolution — presented to the board by County Attorney Anne Quail — says county zoning ordinances currently do not specifically address modern data centers and notes potential impacts including high water and energy use, continuous mechanical noise, and specialized cooling and backup power systems. The resolution directs the Planning and Zoning Commission and county staff to conduct comprehensive reviews, coordinate with utilities and neighboring jurisdictions, gather technical data and public input, and return draft regulations to the board for further action.
