Seattle's Data Center Ban Closes Permitting Pipeline with No Grace Period

Seattle's City Council enacted an emergency data center moratorium on 9 June 2026, freezing new large-load facilities (10 MW and above) for 365 days. The emergency designation means the ban takes effect immediately upon mayoral signature without a standard 30-day grace period, blocking projects already in the city's permitting queue. Development will likely shift to neighboring jurisdictions and Eastern Washington's hydropower corridor.