The Pierce County Council approved a six-month moratorium on new involuntary confinement centers in unincorporated Pierce County, passing Ordinance No. O2026-505 by a 5–2 vote. Councilmembers Robyn Denson, Bryan Yambe, Paul Herrera, Jani Hitchen, and Rosie Ayala voted in favor. Councilmembers Amy Cruver and Dave Morell cast the dissenting votes.
The moratorium halts the siting, expansion, or establishment of detention facilities and other facilities that involuntarily confine people. The County will not accept or process permit applications for those uses during the pause. The moratorium lasts six months unless extended or until the Council amends the relevant county code.
Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello submitted the ordinance after U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a pre-solicitation notice for a new involuntary confinement center in the region. Mello said the County's existing code lacks adequate guidelines for siting these facilities. "These facilities have significant impacts to nearby neighborhoods, and our existing code fails to provide adequate guidelines," Mello said in a statement.
The Council also approved an amendment exempting Crisis Recovery Centers — which provide mental health and substance use assessment services — from the moratorium. During the six-month period, the County plans to review its development regulations and gather community input before updating county code.