San Joaquin County Imposes 45-Day Moratorium on New Data Center Projects
San Joaquin County has imposed a 45-day moratorium on new data center projects in its unincorporated areas, halting land-use approvals for these developments.
Sacramento Stockton Modesto, CA, October 7, 2026 — San Joaquin County has enacted a 45-day moratorium, effectively pausing land-use approvals for new data center projects within its unincorporated regions. The decision, which went into effect recently, places a temporary halt on the process for developers seeking to establish new data centers in areas not governed by city municipalities.
The moratorium is designed to provide a period for the county to review and potentially revise its policies and ordinances related to the rapidly expanding data center industry. During this 45-day period, no new land-use applications for data center developments will be accepted or processed by the county.
Details regarding the specific reasons cited for the moratorium beyond the general review of policies were not immediately available. The county’s action reflects a growing trend in various jurisdictions to assess the impacts of large-scale technology infrastructure, including considerations for energy consumption, water usage, and land development.
The immediate effect of the moratorium is a standstill for any new proposals seeking county approval for data center construction or expansion in unincorporated areas. Developers who had plans or were in the process of submitting applications may need to wait until the moratorium expires or until new guidelines are established by the county. The duration of this pause is set at 45 days, after which the county is expected to have a clearer path forward regarding its approach to future data center developments.
Information concerning the specific timeline of the moratorium’s start date and its expiration date, as well as any public hearings or community input sessions planned as part of the policy review, was not provided in the summary. The county’s action signals a period of deliberation as it navigates the complexities associated with the growth of the technology sector within its jurisdiction.
Story summarized from the original created by Katie Chavez on fox40.com, see more information here.
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