Lakewood, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Noise Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code
- Muni Code § 9376, § 9376.1
- Residential limit
- 60 dBA at property line
- Day/night split
- None; one all-hours limit
- M-2 recycling limit
- 60 dBA residential, 70 otherwise
- Enforcement
- Public nuisance abatement
Summary
Lakewood sets one number, not a day-night table. Municipal Code Section 9376 caps mechanical equipment noise at 60 dBA measured at the property line of residentially zoned property, and treats an exceedance over five decibels as a public nuisance.
The sound pressure level permitted herein shall be measured at any point on the property line of the residential property affected and is sixty decibels, reference 0.002 microbar, read on the A scale of a sound level meter. Reading shall be taken in accordance with the instrument manufacturer's instructions, using the slowest meter response, and as follows:
A. Placement of Measuring Microphone. Placement of the microphone can beat any point on the property line, but shall not be closer than three (3) feet from any wall and not less than three (3) feet above the ground where the above-listed maximum sound pressure level shall apply. At any point the measured level shall be the average of not less than three (3) readings, taken at two-minute intervals. To have valid readings, the levels must be five (5) decibels or more above the levels prevailing at the same point, excluding noise caused by the objectionable machinery.
B. Sound Level Meter Sound pressure levels shall be measured with a sound level meter manufactured according to U.S.A. Standard S1.4-1961, published by the United States of America Standards Institute, New York City, New York.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4901715; v5 updated 2026-04-28; through 04-28-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 9376 forbids anyone in or next to a residential zone from operating machinery, pumps, fans, air conditioning, or air-handling apparatus that pushes the noise level at a residential property line more than five decibels past the permitted level. Section 9376.1 fixes that permitted level at sixty decibels on the A scale, measured at least three feet from any wall and three feet above ground, averaging three readings taken two minutes apart. The standard applies at all hours, with no separate nighttime figure. Section 9368(B)(3)(d) repeats 60 dBA at residential property lines and 70 dBA elsewhere for M-2 collection facilities. Section 4240 separately bars unnecessary noises that annoy persons of ordinary sensitiveness.
Violations & Fines
Section 9376.3 declares equipment noise over these levels a public nuisance subject to summary abatement, restraining order, or injunction, and makes ignoring the Director of Community Development's directions a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can data center equipment be in Lakewood?
Does Lakewood have quieter nighttime noise limits for data centers?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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