Richmond Pauses New Data Center Permits Under 45-Day Moratorium While Studying Energy and Land-Use Rules

RICHMOND, Contra Costa County — October 27, 2026. The City of Richmond is reconsidering how large data centers might fit within its industrial and residential landscape. On September 15, 2026, the City Council adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 13-26 N.S., a temporary 45-day moratorium on issuing permits or land-use entitlements for new data centers in the city.

What the moratorium does

The city’s official project page describes a 45-day pause, initially lasting at least until October 30, 2026, to let staff study possible data center rules and collect public input. The issue is not a determination that every data center is harmful or illegal, but whether new proposals need specific safeguards for public health, infrastructure, safety and land use.

On October 20, the City Council had scheduled a hearing to consider extending the urgency ordinance for up to 22 months and 15 days. The city’s study page also links a ten-day report on the interim moratorium. A hearing notice does not by itself establish that council voted for the extension; the final adopted ordinance and minutes are necessary to determine current legal status.

What should residents ask?

Large data centers may differ dramatically in electricity demand, water requirements, cooling systems, noise, emergency power equipment and jobs. A thoughtful local study would assess those impacts alongside potential investments and tax revenue rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all assumption.

Richmond’s website lists primary documents, public-meeting materials and references on data center considerations. Residents and businesses can send questions to the municipal Planning Division at 510-620-6706.

Primary source: City of Richmond — Data Center Moratorium and Study, including Ordinance 13-26 N.S.. More at Richmond News.

Editor’s note: The adoption of the original 45-day moratorium is documented. Any later extension should be verified from the actual council decision rather than assumed from the hearing date.

YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER NEEDS YOU

Help this community newspaper grow

Your support helps build coverage for the people and places this local newspaper serves.

Donate once by card ↗

Help Richmond News grow Help strengthen reporting on Richmond: community voices, important decisions and local life.

Support Richmond News

Choose how to support Richmond News:

Credit / Debit Card via Stripe

Choose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.

Continue with PayPal Continue with Zelle

Zelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.

Optional reader support. When possible, add “Richmond News” to the payment note. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.

Optional support through the publisher. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible and never buy editorial influence.

Richmond News — Your Community Newspaper

Have a correction, news tip, local announcement, or story to submit? Contact our editorial team. All submissions are reviewed before publication.