Moreno Valley Rejects 45-Day Warehouse Moratorium

City Council vote falls short of the required majority to pause new logistics projects.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:39pm

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Moreno Valley's City Council voted 3-2 to approve a proposed 45-day moratorium on new warehouse and logistics projects, but it fell short of the 4 votes required to enact the pause. The vote means Moreno Valley will not join other Inland Empire cities that have used moratoriums to create new rules and policies around warehouse development. While some council members cited concerns about the environmental and economic impacts of warehouses, others argued the moratorium would freeze construction jobs and economic growth.

Why it matters

The Inland Empire region has seen a boom in warehouse and logistics development in recent years, driven by the area's proximity to major ports, freeways, and available land. However, many residents have grown frustrated with the proliferation of warehouses, which they blame for increased air pollution and low-wage jobs. The failed moratorium vote in Moreno Valley highlights the ongoing tensions between economic growth and environmental concerns in the region.

The details

The proposed 45-day moratorium was meant to give Moreno Valley time to update its general plan and address concerns from the California Attorney General's office about the amount of warehouse development in the city. While some council members supported the pause, others argued it would freeze construction jobs and economic growth. Ultimately, the vote fell short of the 4 votes required to enact the moratorium.

  • The City Council voted on the proposed moratorium on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.
  • Moreno Valley is in talks with the California Attorney General's office about updating its general plan, which typically occurs every decade.

The players

Moreno Valley City Council

The governing body of the city of Moreno Valley, California, which voted on the proposed 45-day warehouse moratorium.

Steve Quintanilla

The City Attorney of Moreno Valley, who told council members that the moratorium was meant to avoid complications from processing new warehouse planning documents as the city updates its general plan.

Karla Cervantes

An environmental and clean air activist who spoke at the council meeting, arguing that warehouses are "disproportionately placed" near low-income and minority communities.

Juan Serrato

A representative of the Laborers' International Union of North America who urged the council to reject the moratorium, arguing that it would freeze construction jobs and paychecks.

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What they’re saying

“Moreno Valley deserves better-paying, more sustainable jobs to actually build a strong middle class, not more loading docks.”

— Karla Cervantes, Environmental and clean air activist

“This may be written as a temporary pause, but it's not temporary. When projects get frozen, paychecks get frozen. Construction workers depend on a steady flow of projects to stay employed.”

— Juan Serrato, Laborers' International Union of North America representative

“For me, quick and fast money does not negate the fact that there's people's lives and people's health that we have to account for at some point.”

— Cheylynda Barnard, Moreno Valley City Councilmember

What’s next

Moreno Valley will continue its talks with the California Attorney General's office as it updates its general plan, which could take a couple of months. The city will also need to determine how to address concerns about the environmental and economic impacts of warehouse development going forward.

The takeaway

The failed moratorium vote in Moreno Valley highlights the ongoing tensions between economic growth and environmental concerns in the Inland Empire region, which has seen a surge in warehouse and logistics development in recent years. As cities grapple with these issues, they will need to find a balance that supports job creation and economic activity while also addressing the needs of local communities.