Special Notice / Hearing: None____
Vote Required: 4/5ths ___
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, District 4
Subject: Interim Urgency Ordinance Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on New or Expanded Data Centers
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt an Interim Urgency Ordinance of the County of San Mateo making findings and establishing a temporary moratorium on the siting, construction, conversion, and/or operation of new or expanded data centers within the unincorporated area of San Mateo County, to the full extent authorized under state and federal law.
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BACKGROUND:
The rapid advancement and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology have fueled a corresponding surge in the construction of large-scale data centers needed to power these systems. As data center development accelerates, public awareness has grown regarding the potential environmental, infrastructure, and community impacts associated with these resource-intensive facilities.
In recognition of these concerns, Governor Newsom recently signed into law seven bills regulating the construction and operation of data centers. These include measures requiring data center projects to disclose and report water usage (AB 2619 and AB 2469) and ensuring that the construction of new data centers is subject to environmental review (SB 887). In his signing statement, Governor Newsom cited increased electricity and water demand, constraints on the electrical grid, and pollution as reasons for the new laws.
In addition to state regulation, the County has independent authority to adopt ordinances regulating the use of buildings, structures, and land to ensure compatibility among land uses; protect public health, safety, and welfare; address infrastructure limitations and public service capacity; and preserve natural, scenic, and agricultural resources. Pursuant to this authority, the County may regulate, restrict, or prohibit data centers within its uninc...
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