Seattle Data Center Moratorium
Seattle Emergency Moratorium on New Large Data Centers (Council Bill 121214)
Seattle, WA · Seattle Council Bill 121214 (adopted June 9, 2026)
- Status
- In effect
- Expires
- June 9, 2027
- Applies to
- Developers and operators proposing new data centers over 20 MVA in Seattle city limits
- Enforced by
- Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections; Seattle City Light
On June 9, 2026 the Seattle City Council unanimously passed an emergency one-year moratorium on siting new large data centers (power capacity over 20 megavolt-amperes) while the city studies impacts on the electric grid, water, utility rates, land use, jobs, and public health. It is a temporary pause on large facilities, not a permanent citywide ban: existing data centers may continue operating and expand up to the 20 MVA cap, and the moratorium can be extended once for six months. Mayor Katie Wilson signed the ordinance; it took effect immediately upon signature.
Who is protected: Seattle residents and utility ratepayers, particularly South Seattle industrial-adjacent communities
Legal detail
Amended Council Bill 121214 (emergency ordinance, adopted unanimously June 9, 2026) imposes a 365-day moratorium, extendable six months, on establishment of data centers exceeding 20 MVA, paired with a resolution directing impact studies; a public hearing is required within 60 days of adoption.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Strength | Moderate |
| Enacted | June 9, 2026 |
| Citation | Seattle Council Bill 121214 (adopted June 9, 2026) |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| Agency page | City Council passes emergency data center moratorium and policy framework — Seattle City Council |
More AI rules in Seattle, WA
- Seattle algorithmic rent-fixing ban (Ord. 127241 / SMC 7.34, July 2025) · In effect
- Seattle CB 121267 grocery surveillance pricing ban (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Seattle Generative AI Policy · In effect
- Seattle Public Schools AI Handbook + Superintendent Procedure 2022SP · In effect
- Seattle Surveillance Ordinance (SMC 14.18) · In effect
- SPD FR Policy · In effect
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
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction. Every entry must carry a verifiable source.