Data Centers & Crypto Mining in San Jose, CA (2026)
2 verified data centers & crypto mining rules for San Jose, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Data Center Zoning & Siting
San Jose requires a discretionary Special Use Permit for data centers in all five industrial zoning districts and a Conditional Use Permit in the CG Commercial General district. The use is barred outright in the CO, CP, and CN commercial districts.
San Jose Data Center Zoning Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsSan Jose Municipal Code § 20.50.100 (Table 20-110)
Table 20-110 (Industrial Zoning District Use Regulations), row "Data center": CIC S / TEC S / IP S / LI S / HI S, Note 2. Section 20.50.100.E: “‘Special’ uses are indicated by an ‘S’ on Table 20-110. These uses may be allowed in such designated districts, as an independent use, but only upon issuance of and in compliance with a Special Use Permit as set forth in Chapter 20.100.”
Data Center Noise Limits
San Jose caps a new data center's noise at 55 dBA DNL at the property line where it sits next to homes or public uses, under General Plan Policy EC-1.3. This is a General Plan and CEQA standard, applied at permit review, not a codified property-line dBA ordinance.
San Jose Data Center Noise Limit: 55 dBA at Homes
Some RestrictionsCity of San José, Envision San José 2040 General Plan, Policy EC-1.3 (Noise & Vibration)
Mitigate noise generation of new nonresidential land uses to 55 dBA DNL at the property line when located adjacent to existing or planned noise sensitive residential and public/quasi-public land uses.
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Jose city rules.
Data Centers & Crypto Mining in Santa Clara County →