Data Center Moratorium
At a glance
- What: Urgency ordinance creating an interim citywide zoning moratorium that prohibits data centers for 45 days under California Government Code Section 65858.
- Where it stands: Immediately passed on first reading October 6, 2026, 11-0. An urgency ordinance passes immediately on first reading; it needed nine votes (four-fifths).
- Next: The 45-day period runs from adoption (about November 20 if counted from October 6; the minutes give no end date). Any extension would need a further Board vote.
Details
- File No. 261021; Land Use and Transportation Committee recommendation. Sponsors: Walton; Chan, Fielder and Chen.
- Vote October 6: Ayes 11 (Chan, Chen, Dorsey, Fielder, Mahmood, Mandelman, Melgar, Sauter, Sherrill, Walton, Wong).
- Public comment October 6: Warfield raised concerns about artificial intelligence, data centers and the land use issues they cause; a speaker named Chauncey raised air quality concerns about data centers; Greenlie raised concerns about data centers. On September 29 another speaker also mentioned data centers.
Sources
- Board of Supervisors minutes (draft), October 6, 2026: https://sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1452949&GUID=6CA19DD5-BB90-4C0E-A6E9-BD06EE6528FE
- Board of Supervisors minutes (draft), September 29, 2026: https://sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1449004&GUID=82BD7CE6-C773-4BF3-A2FA-3A59A473DBB1
Log
2026-10-06 - Board of Supervisors
Land Use report. IMMEDIATELY PASSED ON FIRST READING, 11-0; public comment from three speakers on data centers.
2026-10-06 - Board of Supervisors
- Supervisor Walton described the 45-day measure as parking city approvals while impacts are studied; Planning to report back within 25 days.
2026-10-05 - Land Use and Transportation Committee
- Dorsey amendments exempting accessory server rooms and non-intensifying maintenance; forwarded to the Board 3-0.