Provo, UT Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Crypto Mining Rules (2026)

Chapter 14.34A, DC - Data Center Overlay Zone, was enacted by Ordinance 2025-53 and amended by 2026-13 to set development standards for large server facilities. Section 14.34A.010 defines a 'data center' as a dedicated building or facility designed primarily for housing networked servers and computing infrastructure for continuous operation, then immediately excludes 'computational facilities primarily engaged in cryptocurrency mining, blockchain validation, or other distributed ledger technology operations.' That exclusion matters because the whole Chapter, the 200-foot setback from schools, parks, and residential property in Section 14.34A.050(3), the non-evaporative cooling mandate in (5), the UMPA risk-offset mechanism in (4), and the noise and IBC conditions in Section 14.34A.060, only reaches uses that meet the Chapter's 'data center' definition, and the Overlay itself only combines with the Light Manufacturing (M1) and Planned Industrial Commercial (PIC) zones under Section 14.34A.050(1).

A crypto-mining or blockchain-validation operation therefore isn't eligible for the DC Overlay track and isn't bound by any of its overlay-specific conditions; it would instead be classified and reviewed under whatever principal-use category the underlying base zone, M1, M2 Heavy Manufacturing, or another industrial zone, assigns to computing or server operations generally. As of the 2026-13 amendment, Provo's code contains no separate chapter, moratorium, or overlay addressing cryptocurrency mining facilities as their own use.