Pima County AZ 120-day data center moratorium
Pima County, AZ — Board of Supervisors 120-Day Moratorium on New Data Center Approvals (2026)
Pima County, AZ · Pima County Board of Supervisors, Resolution adopting 120-day moratorium on new data center approvals in unincorporated county areas (September 22, 2026; vote 3-2)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- January 20, 2027
- Applies to
- Data center developers seeking approvals in unincorporated Pima County, AZ
- Enforced by
- Pima County government; planning department
The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on September 22, 2026 to formally impose a 120-day moratorium on approving new data center projects in unincorporated Pima County, Arizona. The moratorium is in effect while the county finalizes zoning code text amendments specifically addressing data centers; a permanent policy is expected to be adopted by December 10, 2026. The moratorium applies only to unincorporated county areas — not to the City of Tucson, which has its own separate zoning authority and enacted its own data center zoning ordinance in August 2026. Supervisors Andres Cano, Matt Heinz, and Board Chair Jen Allen voted yes; Rex Scott and Steve Christy voted no. The moratorium expires approximately January 20, 2027 (120 days from adoption).
Who is protected: Pima County residents in unincorporated areas from unchecked data center development during zoning code update period
Legal detail
Pima County Board of Supervisors Resolution (September 22, 2026; vote 3-2): formal adoption of 120-day moratorium on new data center approvals in unincorporated Pima County. Supervisors voting yes: Andres Cano, Matt Heinz, Jen Allen (Chair); voting no: Steve Christy, Rex Scott. Moratorium scope: data center development permit applications and approvals in unincorporated Pima County only — does not apply within incorporated municipalities (e.g., Tucson, which enacted its own zoning ordinance August 5, 2026). Duration: 120 days from September 22, 2026; expires approximately January 20, 2027. Full zoning code text amendment expected for board adoption by December 10, 2026. Background: August 11, 2026 (3-2 vote) directed staff to draft the moratorium; September 8, 2026 was the deadline for staff to return the draft to the board. Arizona AG Kris Mayes separately called for a statewide construction pause (August 31, 2026) citing Colorado River water constraints. Pima County encompasses Tucson and large portions of southern Arizona including portions of the Sonoran Desert.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Pima County, AZ |
|---|---|
| Level | County |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | September 22, 2026 |
| Citation | Pima County Board of Supervisors, Resolution adopting 120-day moratorium on new data center approvals in unincorporated county areas (September 22, 2026; vote 3-2) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Applications not accepted/processed during moratorium period (once formally adopted) |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| News report | Pima County supervisors impose 120-day moratorium on data center projects — Tucson Sentinel |
More AI rules in Pima County, AZ
- Pima County AZ data center zoning amendments (proposed 2026) · Proposed / pending
- Pima County Project Blue · Blocked / in litigation
Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere
- Superior WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Dane County WI Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- Madison WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Manitowoc County WI Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Dayton OH data center moratorium (180-day, Apr 2026) · In effect
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