San Benito County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Noise Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing Code
- Ch. 19.39 (Ord. 872, 2011)
- Rural / Residential
- 45 dBA day, 35 night
- Commercial
- 65 dBA day, 55 night
- Industrial
- 70 dBA day, 60 night
- Measured At
- Receiving property boundary
Summary
San Benito County Code Section 19.39.030 caps noise at the receiving property line: 45 dBA day and 35 dBA night for rural and residential land, 65/55 for commercial, and 70/60 for industrial. A data center's cooling and generators are measured where the neighbor sits, not at the plant.
A sound pressure level which exceeds the limits set forth for the receiving land use category in Table 1 which may be measured at or within the real property boundary of the receiving land use, or its vertical extension;
(B) A sound pressure level which exceeds the limits set forth for the receiving land use category in Table 1 for more than 15 minutes in 60 minutes which may be measured at or within the real property boundary of the receiving land use, or its vertical extension; or
(C) An equivalent A-weighted sound level that exceeds the limits set forth for the receiving land use category in Table 1 which may be measured at or within the real property boundary of the receiving land use or its vertical extension.
(D) A sound level that exceeds the ambient sound level by 5 dB which may be measured at or within the real property boundary of the receiving land use or its vertical extension. TABLE 1 Maximum Sound Level Standards
LAND USE DESIGNATION NOISE LEVEL (dBA) Day Night Ag Rangeland Ag Productive 45 35 Rural Rural Transitional 45 35 Rural Residential Single-Family (R1) Residential Multiple (RM) 50 40 Planned Unit Development Commercial (C-1) 65 55 Commercial (C-2) Controlled Manufacturing (CM) Light Industrial (M-1) 70 60 Heavy Industrial (M-2)
(Ord. 872, § 2 (part), 2011) **** ARTICLE V. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS ****
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 19.39 (Ordinance 872, 2011) sets the countywide noise limits. Section 19.39.030 and Table 1 apply the standard to the receiving land use, measured at or within that property's boundary: 45 dBA day / 35 dBA night for agricultural, rural, and single-family land; 50/40 for multi-family and planned developments; 65/55 for commercial; and 70/60 for controlled manufacturing and light or heavy industrial. Day runs 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., night 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. A separate limit bars any source exceeding the ambient level by 5 dB. So a data center's chillers and backup generators are held to whatever parcel receives the sound - typically the low 35 dBA nighttime limit where homes are nearby.
Violations & Fines
Noise above the Table 1 limits, or 5 dB over ambient, violates Chapter 19.39. The county enforces through complaints and administrative action; a permitted data center breaching its noise conditions faces mitigation orders and use-permit revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can a data center be in unincorporated San Benito County?
Is data-center noise measured at the industrial site or the neighbor's land?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.