Aurora, IL Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Noise Limits (2026)

Data center facilities must comply with all federal and state regulations related to noise thresholds. In addition noise levels must not exceed the following constant-minimum noise thresholds as measured at the facility property line: Daytime hours 57 dB (A) weighted 7am-7pm; and Nighttime hours 47 dB (A) weighted 7pm-7am. Vibrations Standards. Data center facilities must have continuous vibration monitoring at spacing of no less than 500 feet along all property lines within 1,000 feet of residential, hospital or educational uses. Energy Usage Standards. Data center facilities must be designed to maintain a Power Usage Effectiveness of no more than one and two-tenths (1.2). As used in this Chapter "Power Usage Effectiveness" or PEU" is defined as the ratio of total building energy consumption divided by the total Information Technology equipment (servers, switches, storage devices, etc.). Data centers must be designed to comply with the energy code requirements specified in whichever of the following is most stringent: The latest adopted International Energy Conservation Code (IECC); The latest published AHSRAE Standard 90.4 (Sections 6 & 8); or Illinois-specific data center energy code requirements adopted by rule, which may include more detailed criteria such as Mechanical Load Component (MLC) and Electrical Load Component (ELC) measures. Modular nuclear reactors, small modular reactors or any other nuclear-based energy are prohibited.