City-wide and county policy · Updated Oct. 14, 2026
The City of Spokane has paused new data center building permits for one year while it studies water, power and noise. Spokane County has paused them in unincorporated areas through Dec. 15, 2026. No data center has been proposed in our neighborhood. The council has not taken a position.
What’s happening
In June 2026 the Spokane City Council passed a one-year, citywide moratorium. During it, the City will not accept, process, review or approve building permit applications for new computer data centers. An amendment clarifies how the pause applies to buildings that mix a data center with other business uses, such as manufacturing.
The City Council directed the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board and the Plan Commission to develop a Data Center Impact Review and Policy Framework. On July 30 the Mayor convened an internal work group, led by City Administrator Alexander Scott, to support that work. It is looking at water use, wastewater and noise, reviewing other cities’ policies, and gathering public feedback. The goal is to decide how, if at all, data centers should be sited in Spokane.
On Aug. 18 the Spokane County commissioners unanimously approved a separate four-month pause on data center building permits in unincorporated areas. The County Planning Commission will hold public hearings on possible rules, and the commissioners will decide afterward. The City has not posted a deadline for its framework, and the exact end date of the City moratorium is not stated in the release.
Why it matters
Rules written during the pause will decide where, if anywhere, a data center can be built in the city, and what water, power and noise limits would apply. Our neighborhood has no proposed project today, so this is about what could be proposed later.
Supporters of the pause say more research is needed before setting long-term policy. A state report cited in local coverage points to rising electricity demand, transmission limits and water availability.
Critics of the pause include a national data center trade group, which called it a “knee-jerk reaction” that sends the wrong signal to companies weighing large investments. It also disputes that data centers raise residential utility costs.
What is already here: two small data centers operate in Liberty Lake. Avista said it had discussed serving a large data center customer and put those talks on hold after public concern; no site was named.
Open questions:
- How will the City define a data center, and what size would count?
- What water, wastewater and noise limits will the framework recommend?
- Who pays if a data center needs new power lines or substations?
- Should the council tell the Plan Commission and work group what neighbors want?
Where things stand
- Next — City Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board and Plan Commission develop the Data Center Impact Review and Policy Framework. No deadline posted.
- Dec. 15, 2026 — County pause expires unless the commissioners extend it.
- Aug. 18, 2026 — Spokane County commissioners approve a four-month pause in unincorporated areas.
- July 30, 2026 — Mayor launches the City data center work group.
- July 22, 2026 — Public hearing set by the City Council. Outcome not confirmed.
- June 2026 — City Council passes the one-year moratorium.
How you can help
There is nothing urgent to do right now. These are the ways to stay informed and be heard.
Start here (a few minutes)
- Follow the work. Meetings of the City’s Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board and Plan Commission are open to the public, and the City offers email updates for both through its press release.
- Watch the County. The County Planning Commission will take public comment on possible data center rules during the pause.
- Tell us what you think. Share your questions or concerns in the form below. If the council decides to take a position, your comments will help shape it.
Sources & documents
- City of Spokane, Council passes one-year moratorium on data centers (June 23, 2026)
- City of Spokane, Mayor launches data center work group (July 30, 2026)
- Spokane County, data center pause press release (Aug. 18, 2026)
- Spokane Journal of Business, data center pause (local coverage)
The July 22 hearing outcome, the exact City moratorium end date and the City definition of a data center were not in the sources reviewed.
Community discussion
Have a question, an update or firsthand experience to share? Add to the conversation so neighbors and Council volunteers can work toward solutions together. Comments are reviewed by the council before they appear. Comments are community comments, not verified facts or official Council positions.