Solano County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Noise Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Nighttime Limit
- 65 dBA at property line
- Applies
- 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Governing Code
- Section 21-10
- Daytime Rule
- Sec. 28.95 performance standards
- Also Reviewed
- CEQA noise analysis
Summary
Solano County caps nonagricultural noise at 65 dBA at the property line between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. under County Code Section 21-10. A data center's cooling and backup generators must also meet the Chapter 28.95 industrial performance standards and CEQA noise review.
loud or unusual noise includes any nonagricultural noise any time after 10:00 p.m. or before 6:00 a.m. that exceeds sixty-five (65) dBA at the property line.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 1868, passed April 9, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Solano County has no noise rule written specifically for data centers, so a facility's chillers, cooling towers, and diesel backup generators are held to the countywide standards. Section 21-10 (Disturbing the Peace) sets the nighttime number: nonagricultural noise cannot exceed 65 dBA at the property line at any time after 10 p.m. or before 6 a.m. During the day, the Section 28.95 performance standards bar noise or vibration that adversely affects surrounding areas, enforced through use-permit conditions. Because generators run under load during testing, noise impacts on nearby homes are also analyzed under CEQA against the General Plan Noise Element, which can require enclosures, barrier walls, or exhaust silencers. A stand-alone county noise ordinance was proposed in 2017 but withdrawn.
Violations & Fines
Nonagricultural cooling or generator noise exceeding 65 dBA at a property line between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. violates Section 21-10. Daytime noise breaching Section 28.95 or a project's CEQA conditions can trigger mitigation orders and use-permit revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can a Solano County data center be at night?
Are data center backup generators regulated for noise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Solano County
California rules heatmap·Compare Solano County to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview
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