Snohomish County Council imposes emergency moratorium on new data centers; adopts hazard mitigation plan

The Snohomish County Council unanimously approved an emergency ordinance placing a moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas, effective immediately. The 5-0 vote on June 24 was the most consequential land-use decision in a busy two-week stretch that also saw adoption of the county's 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan and a failed charter amendment on candidate disclosure.

Data center moratorium and consent agenda

On June 24, the council voted 5-0 to approve the emergency moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas. The same session saw unanimous approval of a consent agenda covering fair contracts, a LiDAR agreement, and a Tulalip waterline. The council also scheduled a public hearing on a Growth Management setback ordinance for July 22 (5-0), approved a performance audit notice to proceed as amended (5-0), and scheduled a public hearing on a Stanwood flood risk mitigation agreement for July 15 (5-0). Layla Bush and Karl Niemela were both reappointed to the Planning Commission, each by 5-0 votes.

Public hearings: Prosecuting Attorney funding approved, charter amendment fails

Also on June 24, the council held two public hearings. An emergency appropriation for the Prosecuting Attorney's office was approved 5-0. A proposed charter amendment that would have required mandatory political history disclosure for County Executive and Council candidates failed 3-2, falling short of the four votes needed to pass.

Hazard Mitigation Plan adopted

On July 1, the council unanimously approved the 2025 Snohomish County Hazard Mitigation Plan (Motion 26-230). The plan is intended to guide disaster preparedness across the county. The council also approved a resolution celebrating America 250 (5-0), approved administrative matters including a hearing date and purchasing awards (5-0), and approved an FAA grant for airport runway rehabilitation (5-0). A proposed sales tax increase for criminal justice under Ordinance 26-030 was continued to July 8 by a 5-0 vote.

Administrative sessions route items to committees

The council held administrative sessions on June 23 and June 30, during which legislative items were assigned to standing committees for review. On June 23, assignments included a Civil Service appointment and Children's Commission appointment to the Community Safety and Justice committee; a Public Assistance Grant, immunization data agreement, Everett Community College affiliation, and Poison Center agreement to the Health and Community Services committee; a Fire District interlocal agreement and Airport runway rehabilitation grant to the Planning and Community Development committee; and a Tulalip Tribes technology services agreement to the Public Infrastructure and Conservation committee. The Stanwood flood mitigation ordinance was moved to the General Legislative Session for public hearing scheduling, and a public hearing on the Growth Management ordinance was set for July 22, 2026. The June 30 session assigned 11 motions and ordinances to standing committees, moved sales tax and hazard mitigation items to the July 1 session, and scheduled an August 12 hearing for a transportation district.

Coming up

• **July 7 — Administrative Session:** The council will review an interlocal agreement with the City of Mukilteo for fire vehicle maintenance (up to $400,000), a proposed sales tax for the Snohomish County Transportation Benefit District with a public hearing set for July 15, a $55,000 five-year contract with Vesta Digital Intelligence for a work management platform, adoption of the 2026 Drainage Manual and Engineering Design Standards, and a supplemental appropriation for the Search and Rescue Helicopter Fund using tribal funds.
• **July 7 — Public Infrastructure and Conservation Committee:** Review of Ordinance 26-029 (Commute Trip Reduction Plan), Ordinance 26-025 (road right-of-way franchise for SQF, LLC D/B/A Verta), Motion 26-255 (North High Rock Road Slide Repair Project), Motion 26-257 (change order for Arlington Operations Center construction), and Motion 26-246 (technology services agreement with Tulalip Tribes).
• **July 7 — Planning and Community Development Committee:** Review of an interlocal agreement with Snohomish County Fire Protection District No. 4, a mechanical services contract with the City of Mukilteo up to $400,000, and termination of a previous agreement with the City of Snohomish and Fire District No. 4.
• **July 8 — General Legislative Session:** The council will consider Ordinance 26-030, a proposed 0.1% sales tax increase for criminal justice; the Vesta Digital Intelligence bid award ($55,000 over five years); adoption of the 2026 Drainage Manual; amendments to the Engineering Design and Development Standards; and Resolution 26-035 recognizing the Snohomish County Civic Assembly on AI.
• **July 8 — Public Hearings:** The council will review and vote on Motion 26-155, amendments to the Snohomish County Comprehensive Plan and GMA Development Regulations for Docket XXII.

Earlier weeks

• week of 2026-06-29 — Snohomish County Council Imposes Emergency Moratorium on Data Centers

Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.