Temporary Moratorium on Data Center Development, Establishment, Intensification, and Expansion
Summary
SCH Number
2026101138
Public Agency
City of San Diego
Document Title
Temporary Moratorium on Data Center Development, Establishment, Intensification, and Expansion
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/29/2026
Document Description
Adoption of an ordinance to enact a temporary moratorium on the development of data centers in the City of San Diego. Data centers present a threat to public safety, health and welfare, and a moratorium provides the City with time to study, consider, and potentially adopt regulations to address whether, where, and under what conditions data centers should be allowed within the City.
Contact Information
Name
Rebecca Malone
Agency Name
City of San Diego City Planning Department
Job Title
Program Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Courtney Pash
Agency Name
City of San Diego City Planning Department
Job Title
Principal Planner
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
Citywide
Other Information
Adoption of an ordinance to enact a temporary moratorium on the development of data centers in the City of San Diego. Data centers present a threat to public safety, health and welfare, and a moratorium provides the City with time
to study, consider, and potentially adopt regulations to address whether, where, and under what conditions data centers should be allowed within the City.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of the Environment)
Reasons for Exemption
The City of San Diego conducted an environmental review that determined the project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), as CEQA only applies to projects which have the potential for causing a
significant effect on the environment As the proposed temporary moratorium would not result in any direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical changes in the environment, it would not be subject to CEQA. Furthermore, the project would not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of the Environment), which applies to actions taken by regulatory agencies to maintain, restore, enhance, or protect the environment; and where the exceptions listed in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 would not apply in that no cumulative impacts were identified; no significant effects on the environment were identified; the project is not adjacent to a scenic highway; no historical resources would be affected by the action; and the project was not identified on a list of hazardous waste sites
pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code. R-317004
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION: CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The City of San Diego conducted an environmental review that determined the project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), as CEQA only applies to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment as the proposed temporary moratorium would not result in any direct or
reasonably foreseeable indirect physical changes in the environment, it would not be subject to CEQA. Furthermore, the project would not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of the Environment), which applies to actions taken by regulatory agencies to maintain, restore, enhance, or protect the environment; and where the exceptions listed in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 would not apply in that no cumulative impacts were identified; no significant effects on the environment were identified; the project is not adjacent to a scenic highway; no historical resources would be affected by the action; and the project was not identified on a list of hazardous waste sites pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code. R-317004
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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