San Joaquin County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Noise Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime Leq
- 50 dB (7am-10pm)
- Nighttime Leq
- 45 dB (10pm-7am)
- Max Level
- 70 dB day / 65 night
- Governing Code
- Dev. Title Table 9-1025.9
- Tonal Penalty
- Minus 5 dB
Summary
San Joaquin County caps stationary-source noise at a receiving property at 50 dB Leq during the day and 45 dB Leq at night, with maximum levels of 70 and 65 dB, under Development Title Table 9-1025.9. A data center's chillers and backup generators must meet these limits.
Where the location of outdoor activity areas is unknown or is not applicable, the noise standard shall be applied at the property line of the receiving land use.
Full Breakdown
San Joaquin County has no noise rule written for data centers, so a facility's chillers, cooling fans, and diesel backup generators are held to the countywide stationary-source standards in the Development Title, Section 9-1025.9 and Table 9-1025.9, Part II. The hourly equivalent level (Leq) may not exceed 50 dB daytime (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) or 45 dB nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.), and the maximum level (Lmax) may not exceed 70 dB day or 65 dB night, applied at the receiving property line where no outdoor activity area is defined. Each standard drops 5 dB for tonal or impulsive noise.
Violations & Fines
Cooling or generator noise exceeding 50 dB Leq by day or 45 dB by night at a receiving property violates Section 9-1025.9; the county can require mitigation, and unmitigated impacts can condition or block approval under CEQA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can a San Joaquin County data center be?
Are data center backup generators regulated for noise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Joaquin County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Joaquin 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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.