Emergency 365-day moratorium on new data centers (>20 MVA)
Seattle CB 121214 — Emergency Moratorium on New Data Centers
Seattle · Seattle CB 121214 (2026)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- June 9, 2027
- Applies to
- Developers and operators seeking to site new data centers in Seattle.
- Enforced by
- Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections
Emergency 365-day temporary freeze on new data center siting in Seattle. Defines data centers as facilities with power capacity over 20 megavolt-amperes (MVA) used primarily to store and process digital data. May be extended for an additional six months. A public hearing is required within 60 days of adoption.
Who is protected: Seattle utility ratepayers, electrical grid reliability, residents in or near proposed data-center sites.
Legal detail
Amended Council Bill 121214 — Emergency interim moratorium ordinance on the siting of new data centers exceeding 20 MVA. Adopted unanimously June 9, 2026; emergency designation makes it effective immediately.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Seattle |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | June 9, 2026 |
| Citation | Seattle CB 121214 (2026) |
| Penalties | Permit denial; standard zoning enforcement. |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy · government use of AI |
| Agency page | Seattle City Council — Press release on CB 121214 passage (June 9, 2026) |
More AI rules in Seattle
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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