IVCM v. Imperial County — data center moratorium set aside

Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC v. Imperial County (Imperial County Super. Ct.) — Judge Sets Aside County Data Center Urgency Moratorium Ordinances 1616 and 1618 for Missing Findings; County Repeals Them (Oct. 6, 2026)
Imperial County, CA · Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC v. Imperial County (Imperial Cnty. Super. Ct., ruling Sept. 4, 2026)

Status
Blocked / in litigation
Applies to
Imperial County
Enforced by
Imperial County Superior Court

A data center developer sued Imperial County, California over its 2026 urgency moratorium on data centers. A Superior Court judge ruled on Sept. 4, 2026 that the county had not made the findings state law requires and ordered the moratorium ordinances set aside. The county repealed them on Oct. 6, 2026; a separate environmental impact report is still required for the developer's project.

Who is protected: N/A (litigation)

Legal detail

Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC v. Imperial County, Imperial County Superior Court; Judge Jeffrey B. Jones; ruling Sept. 4, 2026: Gov. Code 65858 urgency findings lacking; peremptory writ of mandate to set aside and cease enforcing Ord. 1616 (June 16, 2026) and Ord. 1618 (July 2026 extension). County compliance: repeal by urgency ordinance Oct. 6, 2026. Distinct from the CEQA case requiring an EIR for the 330 MW project (Imperial County CA CEQA ruling, 330 MW data center EIR (2026)). NOT ESTABLISHED: case number; whether further appeal or challenge to the new moratorium.

Key facts

JurisdictionImperial County, CA
LevelCounty
CitationImperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC v. Imperial County (Imperial Cnty. Super. Ct., ruling Sept. 4, 2026)
Private right of actionNo, agency enforcement only
Topicsdata-center siting and energy
News reportCounty ends data center moratorium following court ruling — The Desert Review (Oct. 6, 2026)

More AI rules in Imperial County, CA

Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere

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