The proposal reflects growing public opposition to AI infrastructure. Similar proposals are expected around the Bay Area.
Jose Velazquez
San Francisco District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan announces outside of San Francisco City Hall on Sept. 14, 2026, that she will vote for a 45-day moratorium on approving the construction of new data centers in the city. (Miles Cull/KQED)
San Francisco officials want to halt the expansion of any new data centers in the city for 45 days.
Supervisor Shamann Walton plans to introduce a moratorium Tuesday that would pause all city approvals while the planning committee studies potential risks and creates new codes.
As the boom in artificial intelligence, largely driven by big Silicon Valley firms, continues to drive demand for data centers, Walton’s proposal reflects growing public opposition to the infrastructure needed to support the technology. Similar moratoriums are scheduled to be considered in Richmond and Oakland in the coming weeks.
San Francisco District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton announces outside of San Francisco City Hall on Sept. 14, 2026, that he will vote for a 45-day moratorium on approving the construction of new data centers in the city. (Miles Cull/KQED)
San Francisco District 11 Supervisor Chyanne Chen announces outside of San Francisco City Hall on Sept. 14, 2026, that she will vote for a 45-day moratorium on approving the construction of new data centers in the city.
Geoffrea Morris speaks outside of San Francisco City Hall on Sept. 14, 2026, in support of a 45-day moratorium on approving the construction of new data centers.
In a press release, Walton said the city’s current codes governing data centers haven’t been updated since 2001, long before the scale-up of AI.
“We should not irresponsibly support technology,” Walton said at San Francisco City Hall on Monday, flanked by supervisors Jackie Fielder, Chyanne Chen and Connie Chan.
“Without having the facts or information, that tells us will our communities be protected,” Walton said.