Glenn County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Noise Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Noise Rule
- Adopted; Sec. 15.560.100
- Limit At Homes
- 57 dBA day / 50 night
- Industrial Receptor
- 65 dBA day / 60 night
- Metric
- One-hour Leq, dBA
- Measured At
- Beyond the property line
Summary
Unlike many rural counties, Glenn County has an adopted numeric noise standard. Data-center cooling and generators may not exceed 57 dBA in the daytime or 50 dBA at night, measured beyond the property line of any home, school, hospital, library, or nursing home.
In the event the receiving property or receptor is a dwelling, hospital, school, library or nursing home, even though it may be otherwise zoned for commercial or industrial and related uses, maximum one-hour equivalent sound pressure received shall be as indicated in Table C.
Full Breakdown
Glenn County's noise standard is codified as a performance standard in the Unified Development Code, Section 15.560.100 (Ord. 1183, 2006), not a separate noise ordinance. Table C caps the one-hour equivalent sound level (Leq, A-weighted) received at any dwelling, hospital, school, library, or nursing home at 57 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 50 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., regardless of how that property is zoned. Where the receiving property is industrial, Table B allows 65 dBA daytime and 60 dBA at night. A data center's chillers, cooling fans, and generator testing must meet these limits at the property line, enforced through site plan review and any conditional use permit.
Violations & Fines
Stationary noise exceeding the Table B or Table C limits beyond the property line violates Section 15.560.100. The county can require best-available control technology, deny or condition permits, and pursue code enforcement until the source conforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Glenn County have a decibel limit for data-center noise?
How loud can a data center be next to an industrial neighbor?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glenn County
California rules heatmap·Compare Glenn County to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview
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