Stanislaus County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Noise Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime Limit
- 50 dBA at homes
- Nighttime Limit
- 45 dBA at homes
- Noise-Sensitive
- 45 dBA day and night
- Governing Code
- County Code Ch. 10.46
- Tonal Penalty
- Minus 5 dB(A)
Summary
Stanislaus County's Noise Control Ordinance (County Code Chapter 10.46) caps exterior noise at 50 dBA daytime and 45 dBA at night when measured at a residential property. Data center cooling equipment and backup generators must meet these limits.
The exterior noise level standards set forth in Table A shall be reduced by five dB(A) for pure tone noises, noises consisting primarily of speech or music, or reoccurring impulsive noise.
4. In the event the measured ambient noise level exceeds the applicable noise level standard above, the ambient noise level shall become the applicable exterior noise level standard.
B. Noise Zones Defined.
1. Noise Sensitive. Any public or private school, hospital, church, convalescent home, cemetery, sensitive wildlife habitat, or public library regardless of its location within any land use zoning district.
2. Residential. All parcels located within a residential land use zoning district.
3. Commercial. All parcels located within a commercial or highway frontage land use zoning district.
4. Industrial. All parcels located within an industrial land use zoning district.
5. The noise zone definition of any parcel not located within a residential, commercial, highway frontage, or industrial land use zoning district shall be determined by the director of Stanislaus County planning and community development department, or designee, based on the permitted uses of the land use zoning district in which the parcel is located. (Ord. CS 1070 §2, 2010) § 10.46.060. Specific noise source standards.
Full Breakdown
Stanislaus County has no noise rule written for data centers, so a facility's chillers, cooling fans, compressors, and diesel backup generators are held to the countywide Noise Control Ordinance in Chapter 10.46 of the County Code, adopted as Ordinance CS 1070 in 2010. Section 10.46.050 sets exterior standards measured at the affected property: 50 dBA daytime (7 a.m.-9:59 p.m.) and 45 dBA nighttime (10 p.m.-6:59 a.m.) for residential parcels, 45 dBA day and night for noise-sensitive uses such as schools, hospitals, and churches, and 75 dBA for industrial parcels. Pure tone, music, or recurring impulsive noise - the steady hum of cooling equipment - is held five dB(A) lower. The Sheriff enforces the ordinance.
Violations & Fines
Cooling or generator noise exceeding 50 dBA by day or 45 dBA at night at a nearby home violates Chapter 10.46; the Sheriff can issue citations and the Planning Commission can require abatement or condition a waiver.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can a Stanislaus County data center be?
Are data center backup generators covered for noise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stanislaus County
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