Summary

Citywide data center ban approved

Monterey ParkApr 20, 20262 min read

At a glance

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The City Council approved an urgency ordinance and a first-reading ordinance to implement a citywide prohibition on data centers, with amendments made to the municipal code language during the vote.

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City Council

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CommerceUtilities

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What this means

Monterey Park’s City Council moved to block new data centers citywide by approving an urgency ordinance and a matching ordinance on first reading. The council also amended the text to remove a reference to “data processing facility” and update a municipal code section title. The vote was unanimous, 5-0.

Key decisions

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Approved Urgency Ordinance No. 2276 adopting a citywide prohibition on data centers and amending the Monterey Park Municipal Code to implement the prohibition.
Approved, on first reading, an ordinance adopting a citywide prohibition on data centers and amending the Monterey Park Municipal Code to implement the prohibition.
Amended the ordinance language to remove reference to “data processing facility” and update the title of MPMC § 21.14.060 to MPMC § 21.14.055.

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Meeting information

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City Council Special Meeting - Amended

Apr 20, 2026, 7:00 PMCity Hall Council Chambers,, 320 W. Newmark Ave., Monterey Park, CA 91754completed

Agenda

1. Call to Order
Mayor
2. Roll Call
Henry Lo, Vinh Ngo, Jose Sanchez, Thomas Wong, Elizabeth Yang
3. Public Communications
4. Telecommunications Announcement, if requested
5. Public Hearing
A. Consideration and possible action to conduct a public hearing to 1) adopt an urgency ordinance to enact a citywide prohibition on data centers; 2) introduce and waive first reading of a regular ordinance to enact a citywide prohibition on data centers; and 3) introduce and waive first reading of a regular ordinance that would implement Measure NDC and become effective the same date as Measure NDC, if adopted by voters on June 2, 2026
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Opening a public hearing to receive written and testimonial evidence regarding a potential citywide prohibition on data centers; After receiving such evidence, consider: Adopting an urgency ordinance that would take effect immediately upon adoption to enact a citywide prohibition on data centers; Introducing and waiving first reading of a regular ordinance to enact a citywide prohibition on data centers; Introducing and waving first reading of a regular ordinance that would implement Measure NDC and become effective the same date as Measure NDC, if adopted by voters on June 2, 2026, in accordance with the Elections Code and Measure NDC; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: Public Hearing
6. Adjournment