Coachella Permanent Data Center Ban
Coachella, CA — Permanent Citywide Ban on Data Centers (Ordinance No. 1231, Adopted August 26, 2026)
Coachella, CA · Coachella, Cal., Ordinance No. 1231 — Permanent Data Center Ban (adopted Aug. 26, 2026; effective Sept. 25, 2026)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- September 25, 2026
- Applies to
- Data center developers — no new large-scale data centers may be permitted in Coachella under the permanent ban.
- Enforced by
- City of Coachella (planning/zoning)
The Coachella City Council unanimously passed the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1231 on August 26, 2026, enacting a permanent citywide ban on large-scale data centers. The ordinance defines a data center as a structure or site used to house computers or equipment for storing, processing, or transmitting digital data, with exemptions for accessory server rooms and small IT facilities. The ban takes effect 30 days after adoption, approximately September 25, 2026. Coachella is the first city in the Coachella Valley to enact a permanent prohibition. The path to the ban began June 4, 2026 (urgency moratorium), extended July 9 through June 3, 2027, with the Planning Commission recommending permanent prohibition July 15-16 and the first reading passing unanimously August 12, 2026.
Who is protected: Coachella residents, through permanent prohibition on new large-scale data centers within city limits.
Legal detail
Coachella Ordinance No. 1231 (adopted unanimously on second/final reading Aug. 26, 2026; effective ~Sept. 25, 2026 per CA 30-day municipal ordinance rule) permanently prohibits data centers (defined as structures or sites housing computers/equipment for storing, processing, or transmitting digital data). Exempts accessory server rooms, data processing equipment, and small IT facilities. Planning Commission recommended permanent prohibition July 15-16, 2026; first reading passed unanimously Aug. 12, 2026. Preceded by urgency moratorium (June 4, 2026) and one-year extension (July 9, 2026 through June 3, 2027). Prior entry was the moratorium; this upgrade reflects permanent ban adoption.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Coachella, CA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Stronger |
| Enacted | August 26, 2026 |
| Citation | Coachella, Cal., Ordinance No. 1231 — Permanent Data Center Ban (adopted Aug. 26, 2026; effective Sept. 25, 2026) |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| News report | Coachella City Council passes permanent ban on data centers — KESQ |
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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