Placer County's Noise Code (County Code Article 9.36) caps stationary-source sound at a sensitive receptor's property line at 55 dB daytime and 45 dB nighttime hourly Leq, or 5 dBA over ambient, whichever is greater. A data center's cooling systems and backup generators must meet these limits.
Placer County has no noise rule written specifically for data centers, so a facility's chillers, cooling fans, and diesel backup generators are held to the countywide Noise Code, Article 9.36 of the Placer County Code (Ord. 5280-B, 2004). Section 9.36.060 makes it unlawful to create sound exceeding the ambient level by five dBA, or exceeding the Table 1 standards, whichever is greater, measured at the property line of any affected sensitive receptor. Table 1 sets an hourly Leq of 55 dB daytime (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and 45 dB nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.), with maximum levels of 70 and 65 dB. Generator-testing noise is also analyzed in CEQA, which can require enclosures, barrier walls, or silencers.
Cooling or generator noise exceeding 55 dB by day or 45 dB at night at a sensitive receptor's property line violates Article 9.36. Placer County can require mitigation, and unmitigated impacts can condition approval under CEQA.
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