Hawthorne CA 45-day data center moratorium (U-2270, 2026)
Hawthorne, CA — Interim Urgency Ordinance No. U-2270: 45-Day Citywide Moratorium on New or Expanded Data Centers (Sept. 9, 2026)
Hawthorne, CA · City of Hawthorne Interim Urgency Ordinance No. U-2270 (adopted Sept. 9, 2026)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- October 24, 2026
- Applies to
- Data center developers and operators seeking to establish or expand in Hawthorne
- Enforced by
- City of Hawthorne Planning Department
On September 9, 2026, Hawthorne adopted an interim urgency ordinance that pauses the establishment or expansion of data centers anywhere in the city. The pause runs for 45 days at first, and the city plans to extend it if needed. In the meantime, staff will study environmental and infrastructure impacts and draft permanent zoning rules.
Who is protected: Hawthorne residents, from new or expanded data center development while the city studies impacts
Legal detail
Hawthorne Interim Urgency Ordinance No. U-2270, adopted Sept. 9, 2026, described as a 'state-compliant moratorium' (Cal. Gov. Code § 65858 interim urgency ordinance; the initial term is 45 days and it can be extended after a noticed public hearing, up to about two years in total). Scope: citywide prohibition on establishing or expanding data centers. The initial term ends about Oct. 24, 2026, and PublicCEO reports 'a planned extension, if needed'. The vote count was not reported. Purpose: study environmental and infrastructure impacts and develop permanent zoning regulations.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Hawthorne, CA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | September 9, 2026 |
| Citation | City of Hawthorne Interim Urgency Ordinance No. U-2270 (adopted Sept. 9, 2026) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Permits and approvals for new or expanded data centers withheld during the moratorium |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| News report | City of Hawthorne adopts interim urgency ordinance pausing new data center development — PublicCEO |
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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