Hillsboro is writing its first rules just for data centers and battery storage (Ordinance 6521, phase 1). The Planning Commission approved them on Sept. 9. They would keep data centers 1,000 feet from schools, allow standalone data centers only in two industrial zones with acreage caps, and require a public hearing for new ones. Council held a first reading Oct. 6; second reading is set for Oct. 20.

Oct 6, 2026Source

📌 Other · Washington County

Washington County commissioners chose not to start a data center pause for unincorporated land. Instead they drafted a resolution noting public concerns. County staff said only eight rural industrial parcels could host a data center and all are already built on. The board may revisit the idea.

Sept 1, 2026Source

⏸️ Pause on new data centers · Hillsboro

Hillsboro City Council voted unanimously to pause new land use applications for data centers and big battery storage sites for 120 days (Resolution 2932). Projects that applied before the vote can go ahead. The council can extend the pause for up to six more months.

July 27, 2026Source

⚖️ Court case · Hillsboro

1000 Friends of Oregon, the Oregon Education Association, Tax Fairness Oregon and Tualatin Riverkeepers sued Hillsboro and Washington County. They say staff approved 17 data center tax break (enterprise zone) applications in a rush before the June 6 state deadline, without public notice or a vote by elected officials. The city and county say they followed the law.

June 22, 2026Source

🤝 Agreement with the company · Hillsboro

Before a new state law paused data center tax breaks on June 6, 2026, Hillsboro and Washington County staff approved 17 enterprise zone tax break applications for data center projects. Companies named include Adobe, CoreWeave, Dropbox, Flexential and Nvidia. These approvals are now being challenged in court.

June 2026Source

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