How San Bernardino Handles Data Centers & Crypto Mining: A Practical Guide
San Bernardino maintains 124 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 San Bernardino falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Data Center Zoning & Siting
The City of San Bernardino has no data-center use category. A data center locates in its industrial zones - OIP, IL, IH, IE - classified as a public-utility communication equipment structure, research use, or manufacturing use, each needing a Development Permit rather than by-right approval.
Key details: Dedicated ordinance: None. Zones: OIP, IL, IH, IE industrial. Permit level: Development Permit (discretionary). Classified as: Communication equipment or R&D use. Moratorium: None.
Building or operating a data center in an industrial zone without the required Development Permit, or outside an industrial zone entirely, is a Development Code violation enforced by Code Enforcement through stop-work orders, penalties, and abatement.
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find San Bernardino gives residents more flexibility on data center zoning & siting.
Data Center Noise Limits
The City of San Bernardino sets its own noise standard in Development Code Chapter 19.20: mechanical equipment must not be discernible beyond the parcel boundary, and exterior noise in residential areas cannot exceed 65 dBA, with interior noise capped at 45 dBA.
Key details: Code: Development Code Ch. 19.20 §15. Residential exterior: 65 dBA. Residential interior: 45 dBA. Property-line rule: Not discernible past parcel. Nuisance code: Municipal Code Ch. 8.54.
Noise discernible past the parcel line or exceeding the 65 dBA residential exterior limit violates Development Code Chapter 19.20 and Municipal Code Chapter 8.54, enforced by Code Enforcement through citations and permit conditions.
The Bottom Line
San Bernardino'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 San Bernardino is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from San Bernardino's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.