Monterey Park becomes first US city to ban data centers with 86% voter support
In brief
- Measure NDC passed June 2 with 86.27% support: 6,316 yes votes to 1,005 no votes
- Monterey Park becomes first US city to permanently ban all data center development
- Repeal requires voter approval, creating durable protection against industry lobbying
- Voter concerns: electricity demand, noise pollution, environmental impact, infrastructure strain
The catalyst: DigiCo's proposal
The measure emerged in response to a specific threat. Australian developer DigiCo Infrastructure REIT proposed a 247,000-square-foot data center facility in the city. Opponents argued the project would triple Monterey Park's electricity consumption—a claim that resonated in a community already wrestling with grid strain and rising energy costs.
The city council enacted a temporary moratorium on data center development in January 2026 while deliberating the path forward. By March, the council had unanimously voted to put a permanent ban on the ballot.
Precedent in motion
Monterey Park isn't alone in pushing back. Fort Worth, Texas and Canton, North Carolina have enacted restrictions targeting data centers and crypto mining facilities. Yet Monterey Park's move is singular—a citywide ban, not a targeted restriction.
What makes this precedent durable is its foundation. The Monterey Park ban was driven by a voter initiative, not a top-down regulatory action. Repealing it requires another public vote, which creates a barrier that industry lobbying alone can't easily overcome.
Why it matters
Communities resist data centers for concrete reasons. Common concerns include electricity demand, noise, environmental impact, and strain on local infrastructure. These aren't theoretical—they're the lived experience of residents in areas already hosting server farms or facing proposals.
Monterey Park's vote gives other municipalities a template. Other communities watching this result now have a proven model for doing the same thing. The precedent matters enormously.
