The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
City of Pasco
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Mixed Data Center Policies
Pasco has enacted a six-month pause on processing permits and business-license applications for new data centers; applications already complete are exempt, and existing operations are not directly restricted.
Rating from Washington statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for City of Pasco.
current law · City of PascoImposes an emergency, six-month moratorium on accepting and processing applications for new data centers, cryptocurrency-mining facilities, blockchain-computing facilities, artificial-intelligence-computing facilities, and other high-density computing facilities, effective immediately upon adoption.Washington Pasco Ordinance No. 4850 (2026) — Data Center Moratorium
What this means
The measure would pause accepting and processing permits and business-license applications for new data centers for six months, making new projects substantially harder to start during that period (six-month moratorium). It does not apply to applications already complete before the measure takes effect, and it does not directly restrict existing data center operations.
Timing
- Ends
- six months from the date of adoption
The moratorium may be extended in accordance with RCW 35A.63.220 and RCW 36.70A.390, or replaced earlier by interim or permanent regulations.
People behind it
- City Council
Adopted Ordinance No. 4850, imposed the six-month moratorium, and is responsible for conducting the required public hearing.
- City of Pasco
Municipal authority that enacted and administers the moratorium.
- Craig Raymond
Deputy Director of Community & Economic Development who prepared the agenda report and recommended development of data-center-specific regulations.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Imposes an immediate six-month moratorium on accepting or processing business-license and development-permit applications for new data centers and other high-density computing facilities, including cryptocurrency-mining, blockchain, and artificial-intelligence facilities. The moratorium covers building permits, conditional-use permits, site-plan reviews, binding site plans, subdivisions, short subdivisions, pre-application conferences, and other related land-use approvals. Applications determined complete before the ordinance took effect are exempt, and the moratorium may be extended or replaced by interim or permanent regulations.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
Data centers are allowed by right in the I-2 and I-3 zoning districts, subject to the City’s general zoning standards rather than data-center-specific conditions or regulations.
Applications determined complete before the ordinance’s effective date are exempt from the moratorium and remain unaffected.
Sources
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