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Data Centers & Crypto Mining

How Inglewood Handles Data Centers & Crypto Mining: A Practical Guide

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Inglewood maintains 151 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with data centers & crypto mining. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Inglewood falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Data Center Zoning & Siting

The City of Inglewood has no data-center ordinance and no "data center" use category. Data centers locate in the M-1 Light Manufacturing and M-2 Heavy Manufacturing zones by right, classified as electronics manufacturing, distribution, or office use under Municipal Code Section 12-32.

Key details: Dedicated ordinance: None. Zones: M-1, M-2 manufacturing. By-right: Electronics/distribution/office use. Permit: Ministerial building permit. Discretionary review: Special Use Permit + CEQA.

Building or operating a data center outside the M-1 or M-2 zone, or one obnoxious by noise, is a Zoning Code violation enforced by the Planning Division through stop-work orders, citations, and abatement.

Inglewood is more permissive than most cities when it comes to data center zoning & siting. That said, there are still limits.

Data Center Noise Limits

Inglewood caps sound at the property line using base ambient levels: residential 45 dB(A) overnight and 55 dB(A) daytime, commercial 65 dB(A), and industrial 75 dB(A). Municipal Code Sections 5-27 and 5-30 govern; data-center cooling and generators must comply.

Key details: Code: Muni Code Secs. 5-27, 5-30. Residential limit: 55 day / 45 night. Commercial limit: 65 dB(A) anytime. Industrial limit: 75 dB(A) anytime. Measured at: Affected property boundary.

Noise over the Section 5-30 limits is unlawful, enforced by the City through citations; for a Special Use Permitted data center it also breaches the noise conditions imposed on that permit.

The Bottom Line

Inglewood's data centers & crypto mining rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Inglewood is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Inglewood can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.