Pasco council enacts six‑month moratorium on new data center permits while regulations are developed

Pasco City Council unanimously approved a six‑month moratorium on accepting or processing business license and development permit applications related to new data centers, cryptocurrency mining, blockchain computing and artificial intelligence computing facilities.

Staff explained that such facilities are allowed in some industrial zones by right and that the moratorium (Ordinance 4850) would declare an emergency and direct staff to draft land‑use regulations and return to council within six months. Council members discussed alternatives — including drafting interim regulations instead of a moratorium — and raised questions about power, wastewater, diesel backup generators, potential emissions, EMF concerns, and whether large 'hyperscale' facilities would strain local resources.

Some council members said smaller enterprise‑scale facilities pose fewer risks, but the city needs time to research regional experience, utility impacts and wastewater requirements before permitting larger projects. Others argued a moratorium would allow the city to gather data, consult neighboring jurisdictions and prepare appropriate guardrails. Council adopted the moratorium by unanimous vote and directed staff to return with recommended land‑use regulations within six months.

The ordinance includes preliminary findings and an emergency clause so the moratorium is effective immediately.