Tehama County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Noise Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential Limit
- 50 dBA day, 45 dBA night
- Metric
- Hourly Leq (General Plan Table 9-7)
- Tonal Noise
- Held 5 dB lower
- Acoustical Study
- Required for new projects
- Enforcement
- Env. Health + Sheriff (nuisance)
Summary
Tehama County has no numeric decibel ordinance, but its General Plan Noise Element sets stationary-source standards. A new data center may not raise noise at nearby homes above 50 dBA daytime or 45 dBA nighttime (hourly Leq), and tonal cooling noise is held 5 dB lower.
The County shall require review for discretionary industrial, commercial, or other noise-generating land uses for compatibility with adjacent and nearby noise-sensitive land uses.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Tehama County regulates non-transportation (stationary) noise through Table 9-7 of its 2009-2029 General Plan Noise Element, not a codified decibel ordinance. Where a new industrial source such as a data center affects a home, the exterior standard at the residence is 50 dBA Leq during the day and 45 dBA Leq at night; the standard drops 5 dB for tonal or impulsive sounds, which describes chiller and fan hum. Policy N-4.1 requires discretionary review of noise-generating industrial uses, and Policy N-1.1 requires an applicant-funded acoustical analysis where noise-sensitive uses are nearby. A separate 2022 Noise Control Program addresses nuisance noise, enforced by Environmental Health Code Enforcement and the Sheriff; agricultural operations are exempt.
Violations & Fines
A new data center that exceeds the Table 9-7 limits at a neighboring home fails its General Plan compliance, and the county can deny or condition permits, require enclosures, barriers, or setbacks, and pursue nuisance abatement until the source conforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the noise limit for a data center in Tehama County?
Does Tehama County have a noise ordinance with decibel limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tehama County
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