Berkeley, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Noise Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential Limit
- 55 dBA day / 45 night
- Commercial Limit
- 65 dBA day / 60 night
- Industry Limit
- 70 dBA anytime
- Measured By
- Receiving property's zone
- Governing Code
- BMC 13.40.050
Summary
Berkeley sets its noise limit by the zone of the property receiving the sound, not the source. A West Berkeley data center's cooling and generators may not exceed 55 dBA daytime and 45 dBA nighttime at a neighboring home, or 70 dBA at another industrial parcel.
Maximum permissible sound levels shall be determined by the zoning district of the property subject to the noise, not the property from which the noise originates.
1. The noise standards for the various categories of land use in Table 13.40-1 or 13.40-2 shall, unless otherwise specifically indicated in other codes, apply to all such property within a designated zone.
2. No person shall operate or cause to be operated any source of sound at any location within the incorporated City or allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by such person, which causes the sound level when measured on any other property to exceed:
(a) The noise standard for that land use as specified in Table 13.40-1 for a cumulative period of more than 30 minutes in any hour; or
(b) The noise standard for that land use as specified in Table 13.40-1 plus 5 dBA for a cumulative period of more than 15 minutes in any hour; or
(c) The noise standard for that land use as specified in Table 13.40-1 plus 10 dBA for a cumulative period of more than 5 minutes in any hour; or
(d) The noise standard for that land use as specified in Table 13.40-1 plus 15 dBA for a cumulative period of more than 1 minute in any hour; or
(e) The noise standard for that land use as specified in Table 13.40-1 plus 20 dBA for any period of time. +-----------------------+------------------------+-------------------+
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 8031-NS, passed July 28, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 13.40 (Community Noise), Section 13.40.050, fixes exterior limits by the receiving property's zoning district. Under Table 13.40-1 the limits are 55 dBA daytime (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) and 45 dBA nighttime (10 p.m.-7 a.m.) for R-1 and R-2 residential, 60/55 dBA for R-3 and above, 65/60 dBA for commercial, and 70 dBA anytime for industry. Because the standard follows the receiving zone, a data center in an MU-LI or M district that abuts homes is held to the 55/45 residential limit at that property line. Levels may exceed the standard only briefly: plus 5 dBA for 15 minutes, plus 10 for 5 minutes, plus 15 for 1 minute per hour.
Violations & Fines
Cooling towers, chillers, or generator testing that push sound past the Chapter 13.40 limit at the receiving property line is a noise disturbance; the City can require mitigation and abatement, and unmitigated noise can add conditions to a Use Permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can a data center be in Berkeley?
Do the limits cover cooling equipment and backup generators?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Berkeley
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