Palo Alto's City Council will consider a one-year moratorium on new and expanded ICE detention facilities at its Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 meeting. If approved, it would take effect immediately, Palo Alto Online reported.

Why it matters:

  • It would bar the use of any public or private property in Palo Alto for detention or holding facilities, including jails, prisons and processing facilities.
  • It would not apply to existing holding areas such as those in the Public Safety Building or the Superior Court building.
  • It expires on its own unless the council extends it.

Closing a zoning gap

The main goal is to clear up ambiguity in the zoning code that could let a private owner set up a detention facility. Land zoned for public facilities also allows uses by local and federal agencies, though city staff wrote that "such a scenario is unlikely considering the size, location, or the existing uses of those parcels."

The draft ordinance says such facilities have a "severe impact" on surrounding communities and a documented history of "poor living conditions and substandard medical care." City attorney staff met with Rep. Sam Liccardo's office and the Immigrant Protection and Empowerment Network while drafting it.

Part of a South Bay wave

San Jose, Los Altos and Gilroy have adopted similar moratoriums, and Mountain View voted earlier this month to pause applications for detention, custodial or processing facilities, Palo Alto Online and Hoodline reported. The push followed federal work on an ICE facility at 7240 Holsclaw Road in unincorporated Santa Clara County near Gilroy; a federal judge paused construction in September after the county and state sued. See our story on Gilroy's moratorium.

The other side

Federal agencies can preempt local zoning in some cases, and some residents commenting on Palo Alto Online called the measure unnecessary because a facility in the city is unlikely. Palo Alto police already bar officers from working with ICE or asking about immigration status to make an arrest. Track confirmed enforcement on our ICE activity tracker.