Phoenix, AZ Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Noise Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime limit
- 55 dB(A), 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Nighttime limit
- 45 dB(A), 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Measured at
- nearest residential property line
- Applies to
- special-permit data centers
- Enforcement point
- certificate of occupancy withheld
Summary
Data centers approved by special permit in Phoenix must hold sound to 55 dB(A) daytime and 45 dB(A) overnight at the nearest residential property line.
Preliminary site plan approval for a data center shall not be granted unless it has been demonstrated that the data center, including all on-site mechanical equipment and facilities, will not exceed a sound level of 55 dB(A) when measured at the property line of the nearest residentially zoned property to the proposed data center property between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and 45 dB(A) between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or a specific noise standard may be stipulated as a condition of an approved special permit.
(b) Upon approval of the noise study, the methods proposed to mitigate noise shall be stipulated as a condition of final site plan approval. A final certificate of occupancy shall not be issued if the noise levels exceed a sound level of 55 dB(A) when measured at the property line of the nearest residentially zoned property to the proposed data center property between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. or 45 dB(A) between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or the specific noise standard stipulated as a condition of the approved special permit.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance G-7524, passed June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Data centers are a special-permit use in Phoenix's C-2, C-3, CP/GCP, A-1 and A-2 zoning districts. Before preliminary site plan approval, an applicant must demonstrate the facility, including all on-site mechanical equipment, will not exceed 55 dB(A) at the nearest residentially zoned property line between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and 45 dB(A) between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The Planning and Development Department can stipulate a stricter project-specific noise standard as a special permit condition instead.
Violations & Fines
A final certificate of occupancy cannot be issued if measured noise exceeds 55 dB(A) daytime or 45 dB(A) nighttime at the residential property line, or the stipulated special-permit standard; failure to comply with special permit requirements is grounds for revocation under Section 504.1.C.6.b.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can a Phoenix data center be at night?
When is the noise limit enforced?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Phoenix
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Data Center Noise Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Maricopa County handle data center noise limits.