Visalia CA 45-day data center moratorium (2026)
Visalia, CA — City Council adopts 45-day interim urgency moratorium on data center permits and entitlements (Ordinance 2026-10, Sept. 8, 2026)
Visalia, CA · City of Visalia Ordinance No. 2026-10 (interim urgency ordinance, Sept. 8, 2026)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- October 23, 2026
- Applies to
- Data center developers seeking permits or entitlements in Visalia
- Enforced by
- City of Visalia Community Development
Visalia paused all new data center permits for 45 days starting September 8, 2026, citing heavy energy and water use, noise and air-quality impacts seen elsewhere. The city has not received any data center applications. The council can extend the pause for up to about two more years or adopt a permanent ban.
Who is protected: Visalia residents
Legal detail
City of Visalia Ordinance 2026-10, interim urgency ordinance adopted Sept. 8, 2026 (4-0, one absent): 'temporary moratorium on the acceptance, processing, approval, or issuance of permits and entitlements for new data center development within the city of Visalia.' Initial term 45 days (to approx. Oct. 23, 2026); extendable under Gov. Code 65858 for 10 months 15 days, then 1 year. Findings cite intensive energy and water use, noise and air quality. No pending applications. Council Member Brian Poochigian framed it as making Visalia the first Tulare County city to formally reject data centers. Item first agendized Aug. 2026 (Sun-Gazette, Aug. 18).
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Visalia, CA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | September 8, 2026 |
| Citation | City of Visalia Ordinance No. 2026-10 (interim urgency ordinance, Sept. 8, 2026) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Permits and entitlements not accepted or processed during the moratorium |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy · government use of AI |
| News report | Visalia City Council approves 45-day data center moratorium — Visalia Times-Delta via Yahoo News (Sept. 9, 2026) |
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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