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The Data Center Divide

Humboldt County

This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.

Slightly Anti-Data Center Policies

Humboldt County has enacted a 45-day pause on most new data-center applications and permits in unincorporated areas. Facilities under 15 MW meeting specified energy, water, and cooling conditions may still be considered for a conditional use permit.

Rating from California statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Humboldt County.

Specific to Humboldt County only.

current law · Unincorporated areas
Temporarily prohibits new data-center applications and permits in unincorporated Humboldt County for 45 days, with a possible conditional-use-permit path for qualifying small, on-site-renewable, closed-loop facilities.Humboldt County Interim Urgency Ordinance Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers (2026)

What this means

The measure would pause most new data-center applications and permits in unincorporated Humboldt County for 45 days, making it a serious but temporary obstacle to building or expanding facilities (45-day moratorium). The Board’s action summary describes a narrow exception for facilities under 15 MW that meet specified renewable-energy, closed-loop, and water-source conditions, which may be considered for a conditional use permit (exception conditions).

Timing

Ends
45 days from the date of adoption

The moratorium may be extended in accordance with California Government Code Section 65858. The Board’s action summary also records an exception allowing certain data centers meeting specified power, renewable-energy, closed-loop, and water-source conditions to be considered for a conditional use permit. The moratorium expires after 45 days unless extended. The action summary states the exception.

People behind it

  • Adopted the interim urgency ordinance establishing the moratorium. Adopt the Interim Urgency Ordinance

  • Moved approval of the staff recommendation, including a proposed exemption for certain data centers. A motion was made by Supervisor Arroyo

  • Seconded the motion to approve the staff recommendation. seconded by Supervisor Wilson

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  • Were directed to bring forward any needed moratorium extension and report on steps taken to address the conditions behind the ordinance. bring forward an item, if needed, to extend the moratorium

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3

  • For 45 days after adoption, the County bars accepting new data-center applications and issuing licenses, permits, entitlements, or other approvals for establishing, operating, maintaining, developing, or constructing a data center in unincorporated Humboldt County. The moratorium may be extended under state law. The moratorium covers applications and approvals, and expires after forty-five days unless extended.

  • The Board’s adopted motion allows data centers using less than 15 MW, powered by 100% on-site renewable energy, operating a closed-loop system, and using a water source that does not conflict with public-trust resources to be considered for a conditional use permit; this is a possible permitting route, not an automatic approval. The motion’s exception and conditions.

  • Adoption of the urgency moratorium required a four-fifths Board vote. The ordinance states the four-fifths vote requirement.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • A limited pathway for eligible projects: data centers using less than 15 MW, powered by 100% on-site renewable energy, using a closed-loop system, and drawing water from a source that does not conflict with public trust resources may be considered for a conditional use permit. This is not an automatic approval. Data centers that use less than 15 MW of power.

Sources

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