Monterey Park, California Voters Approve First Municipal Data Center Ban in the US
Voters in Monterey Park, California approved a ballot measure prohibiting new data center development within city limits, passing with 86% support and concluding a months-long dispute over a proposed 247,000-square-foot facility, according to Data Center Knowledge's July 2026 industry roundup.
The measure is reported to be the first voter-enacted municipal data center ban in the United States, reflecting growing local pushback tied to concerns over electricity demand, water use, and grid infrastructure costs passed on to residents.
Community sentiment has increasingly become a decisive factor in data center siting decisions nationally, according to Data Center Knowledge reporting on industry responses to similar local opposition elsewhere.
The vote adds to a broader pattern: at least 11 states are separately considering legislation to temporarily restrict new data center construction pending further review of electricity price impacts, according to Spotlight PA.
See how a change like this affects your own numbers with the CCM Energy Score calculator.