Data Centers & Crypto Mining in Santa Clara County, CA (2026)

1 county-level rule, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Santa Clara County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Data Center Zoning & Siting

Unincorporated Santa Clara County has no data-center zoning classification. A data center is treated as an industrial use, allowed only in the ML (Light Industrial) or MH (Heavy Industrial) districts, and needs a discretionary Use Permit and CEQA review. Most county land is rural or hillside.

Santa Clara County Data Center Zoning (Unincorporated ML/MH)

Some Restrictions

Santa Clara County, CA, Zoning Ordinance § 2.40.010 (Purposes — Commercial and Industrial Base Districts)

The purpose of the Light Industrial district, also known as the ML district, is to provide for certain "heavy" commercial and "light" industrial uses which are generally incompatible with commercial areas but which perform important storage, manufacturing, or servicing functions. The uses permitted in this district are often associated with impacts such as noise and large volumes of truck traff...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗