Lake County approves 8-month moratorium on data center applications, development

Lake County Board members have approved an eight-month moratorium on applications to develop and operate data centers in unincorporated areas.

The county has not received any applications, but the pause gives planners time to research and draft guidelines to regulate data center development and operations, a hot-button issue throughout the country.

The moratorium ends May 11, 2027, or earlier if the county board adopts any regulation. It also could be extended an additional four months if more time is needed to review and adopt new regulations.

Last December, county officials first started raising questions about how data centers could be regulated. The process to adopt the moratorium included a public hearing that generated more than 1,200 public comments in person and online.

During the pause, officials hope to gather information to draft model policies and guidelines that can be used as a model for communities throughout the county.

While the county board voted unanimously on Tuesday to adopt the moratorium, some board members said the issue is much broader and needs statewide action.