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Regbase

The Data Center Divide

Mendocino County

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

Anti-Data Center Policies

Mendocino County’s enacted ordinances pause permits for most new data centers and major expansions in unincorporated areas until August 21, 2028, with exemptions for smaller facilities and some essential services. Existing approved centers may keep operating.

current law · Unincorporated areas
Prohibits most new data centers, and expansions of existing ones, in unincorporated Mendocino County until August 21, 2028, while the county studies future rules; facilities using 3 megawatts or less are exempt.California Ordinance No. 4562 (2026)

What this means

The measure would block permits for most new data centers and for expansions or major increases in existing facilities in unincorporated Mendocino County until August 21, 2028—about 22 months. Facilities under 3 megawatts and some essential services are exempt, and existing approved centers may continue operating, but the pause would substantially delay larger projects. The moratorium lasts until August 21, 2028; the article describes the under-3-megawatt exception.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • - Bars permits for establishment, expansion, or intensification of any Data Center Use or similar high-intensity computing uses, including conversion of any existing building, structure, or site. - Covers all property within the unincorporated County of Mendocino, subject to exemptions and the unresolved size definition. - Directs staff to develop and present proposed amendments to planning and zoning rules; these are study directions, not adopted permanent development standards.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • - Exempts projects with all required discretionary approvals and ministerial permits finally granted before effectiveness, subject to substantial conformity. - Exempts minor repairs, maintenance, replacement in kind and qualifying interior improvements without expansion or increased specified capacities or water demand. - Preserves vested rights legally obtained prior to the effective date. - Definition excludes public safety, medical or health care, emergency communications, or emergency operations facilities and qualifying essential-service telecommunications/utilities not principally used or designed as a commercial data center. - A small-facility exception is reported, not treated here as settled legal scope; see Research Notes.

Sources

Specific to Mendocino County only.

current law · Unincorporated areas
Prohibits the County from processing or approving most new data center proposals in unincorporated Mendocino County for 45 days while officials study their impacts and consider regulations.Mendocino County Ordinance No. 4561 (2026)

What this means

The measure would pause processing and approval of new data center applications for 45 days, delaying new projects while the county studies possible regulations. Exceptions for customary server rooms and essential public services narrow the impact, and any extension would require another board vote.

Timing

Ends
45 days after adoption

The moratorium is effective immediately upon adoption and lasts 45 days. The Board may extend it by adopting an ordinance for an additional 10 months and 15 days or 22 months and 15 days.

People behind it

  • Listed as the sponsor of the urgency ordinance imposing the temporary moratorium on new data center uses.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements5

  • Temporary moratorium prohibiting the processing and approval of applications for new data center uses in the unincorporated county.

  • The moratorium takes effect immediately upon adoption, which requires approval by at least four-fifths of the Board of Supervisors.

  • The moratorium lasts 45 days; the Board may extend it by ordinance for an additional 10 months and 15 days or 22 months and 15 days.

  • The moratorium does not prohibit customary server rooms or ordinary computer equipment supporting on-site operations, public safety or emergency operations facilities, or telecommunications facilities providing essential public services.

  • The moratorium does not prohibit certain repairs or maintenance of existing lawful facilities that could be considered data center uses, and it does not eliminate vested rights.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions5

  • Exempts customary server rooms and ordinary computer equipment that support on-site operations from the moratorium, allowing those facilities to be installed or maintained.

  • Exempts public safety and emergency operations facilities from the moratorium, allowing qualifying facilities to proceed.

  • Exempts telecommunications facilities that provide essential public services from the moratorium.

  • Allows certain repairs and maintenance of existing lawful facilities that could be considered Data Center Uses, so the moratorium does not prevent their continued operation.

  • States that the moratorium does not deprive any person of a vested right, protecting qualifying existing development rights from being eliminated by the ordinance.

Sources

current law · Unincorporated areas
Prohibits the County from processing or approving new data center projects in unincorporated areas while it studies their impacts and considers new rules.Mendocino County Ordinance No. 4562 (2026)

What this means

If adopted, the moratorium would stop the County from processing or approving new data center uses in unincorporated areas while it studies their impacts, creating a major delay for new projects and possibly expansions treated as new uses (prohibiting the processing and approval of new Data Center Uses). The provided text does not give the moratorium’s duration or say it would stop existing centers from operating, so the impact is significant but not clearly an outright ban.

Timing

Ends
45 days after adoption, unless extended pursuant to Government Code section 65858

The urgency ordinance imposes a temporary moratorium on processing and approving new data center uses in the unincorporated county. The Board may extend the moratorium under the statutory extension procedures.

People behind it

  • Identified as the sponsor of the proposed urgency ordinance and responsible for presenting it to the Board of Supervisors.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Imposes a temporary moratorium prohibiting the processing and approval of new data center uses in Mendocino County’s unincorporated areas.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions4

  • Existing data center uses that were lawfully established before the ordinance takes effect may continue to operate; the moratorium targets new uses rather than existing operations. Urgency Ordinance

  • Projects with vested rights or approvals obtained before the ordinance takes effect are not barred by the moratorium from proceeding under those existing rights or approvals. Urgency Ordinance

  • Applications for data center projects that were complete and pending before the effective date may continue to be processed under the ordinance’s grandfathering conditions. Urgency Ordinance

  • Routine maintenance, repair, and similar work on an existing data center is allowed, subject to otherwise applicable laws and permits, rather than being treated as a prohibited new data center use. Urgency Ordinance

Sources

current law · Unincorporated areas
Prohibits the County from processing or approving new data center projects in unincorporated areas while it studies their impacts and considers future rules.California Ordinance No. 4561 (2026)

What this means

If enacted, the temporary moratorium would block the County from processing or approving new data center uses in unincorporated areas, creating a major barrier to building or expanding them (prohibiting processing and approval of new data center uses). The document does not say it would stop existing data centers from operating.

Timing

Ends
45 days after adoption, unless extended

The urgency ordinance imposes a temporary moratorium on processing and approving new data center uses in the unincorporated County. Under Government Code section 65858, it expires 45 days after adoption unless the Board extends it by the required vote; any extension is subject to the statutory limits.

People behind it

  • Identified as the sponsor of the urgency ordinance imposing the temporary moratorium.

  • Legislative body responsible for considering and adopting the urgency ordinance.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Imposes a temporary moratorium in the unincorporated areas of Mendocino County that prohibits processing and approving new data center uses while the County evaluates their public health, environmental, and fiscal impacts and considers additional regulations.

Sources

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