How San Francisco Handles Data Centers & Crypto Mining: A Practical Guide
San Francisco maintains 177 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 Francisco falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Data Center Noise Limits
A data center in San Francisco may not push fixed-equipment noise more than 8 dBA above the ambient at the property plane on commercial or industrial land, under Police Code Section 2909. Inside a nearby home, fixed sources are capped at 45 dBA overnight and 55 dBA daytime.
Key details: Commercial/Industrial Cap: 8 dBA over ambient. Measured At: Property plane. Interior Night: 45 dBA (10pm-7am). Interior Day: 55 dBA (7am-10pm). Governing Code: Police Code § 2909.
Cooling and generator noise exceeding 8 dBA over ambient at the property plane, or breaching the 45/55 dBA interior residential limits, is enforced by the Department of Public Health under Section 2909 and can trigger abatement orders.
Data Center Zoning & Siting
San Francisco is one of few cities with a dedicated data-center land-use rule. The Planning Code treats a data center as an "Internet Service Exchange": allowed as an accessory use up to 25,000 sq ft, while larger facilities need Conditional Use Authorization, air-quality compliance, and annual energy reporting.
Key details: Use Category: Internet Service Exchange. Accessory Limit: 25,000 sq ft / 2 MW. Above Limit: Conditional Use Authorization. Environmental Review: CEQA required. Jurisdiction: Consolidated city-county.
Building or expanding an Internet Service Exchange above the 25,000-square-foot accessory threshold without Conditional Use Authorization blocks Planning Department approval; failing to file the required annual energy and diesel-generator reports breaches the conditions of approval.
The Bottom Line
San Francisco'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 Francisco is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from San Francisco's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.