The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on the approval of new data centers and the expansion of existing facilities. The measure, which took effect immediately following the vote on October 6-7, 2026, halts all new development projects in the city.
The initiative was introduced by Supervisor Shamann Walton and received support from supervisors Connie Chan, Jackie Fielder, and Chyanne Chen. The city currently relies on zoning definitions for data centers established in 2001, which officials argue do not reflect the requirements of modern infrastructure.
During the 45-day pause, the San Francisco Planning Department is required to submit a report on the impact of data centers on energy consumption, water usage, noise levels, and pollution. This report, due within 25 days, will inform potential future zoning changes or a possible long-term ban.
The decision follows similar actions in other California cities. In May 2026, Monterey Park implemented a permanent ban on data centers, while Oakland and Hayward are currently considering their own moratoriums or regulatory reviews to address the growing environmental and infrastructure demands of these facilities.
