Riverside weighs data-center moratorium and code interpretation

Riverside’s Land Use Committee referred two data-center policy options to the City Council on Oct. 13, 2026, but enacted neither. The committee’s action did not impose a moratorium or change the city’s rules for potential applicants.

The options concern future data-center development within Riverside. One would temporarily pause approvals through an urgency ordinance. The other would ask the council to adopt a resolution stating how the city’s existing land-use code applies to data centers.

Two different approaches to data-center development

The first option, as reported by The Riverside Record, would establish an initial 45-day moratorium on approving data-center developments. The pause could be extended, potentially lasting up to two years in total. It would require City Council action; the committee’s referral alone did not stop approvals.

The second option would have the council adopt a resolution stating that data centers are not an allowable use under current city code because they are not listed among permitted uses. The city planner reportedly said unlisted uses, including data centers, would be considered prohibited. That proposal would formalize staff’s interpretation of existing code, rather than create the temporary moratorium described in the first option.

The Riverside Record reported that the city had received no data-center applications to date. The proposals therefore concern possible future development, rather than applications identified as pending. Neither option was adopted at the committee meeting.

Earlier direction and expected council consideration

The Oct. 13 discussion followed a Sept. 14 Land Use Committee direction to draft a data-center moratorium, according to The Riverside Record. Separately, the City Council had created an artificial-intelligence working group with up to 13 months to develop policy recommendations, including recommendations on data centers.

The Record reported differing views among committee members about how to proceed. Councilmember Sean Mill supported acting before large-scale applicants arrived. Councilmember Philip Falcone said the city should ensure data centers do not move forward while the working group develops recommendations. Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes described the resolution option as formalizing staff’s explanation of the current code.

The Riverside Record reported that the moratorium option was expected to come before the City Council on Nov. 10, 2026. That was an expected consideration date, not a confirmed agenda item or final-vote date. Any change to city policy would depend on subsequent council action.