Oakland Planning Code Section 17.120.050 sets noise limits by the receiving property's zone. A data center's cooling and generators may not exceed 60 dBA daytime and 45 dBA nighttime at a home, 65 dBA at commercial property, or 70 dBA at industrial property.
Oakland's performance standards, Planning Code Section 17.120.050, cap noise "regularly generated" across property lines at the receiving parcel's limit. For a Residential Zone (Table 17.120.01) the sustained limit is 60 dBA daytime (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) and 45 dBA nighttime (10 p.m.-7 a.m.); brief peaks may reach 80 dBA day and 65 night. Commercial receivers (Table 17.120.02) are capped at 65 dBA anytime, industrial receivers (Table 17.120.03) at 70 dBA. Because the standard follows the receiver, a data center in an IG or CIX zone abutting homes must meet the 60/45 residential limit at that property line. Municipal Code Chapter 8.18 adds further restrictions.
Cooling towers, chillers, or generator testing that push sound past the Section 17.120.050 limit at the receiving property line is a violation; Oakland can require mitigation, abatement, and enforcement under Municipal Code Chapter 8.18.
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