The City of Salinas sets no numeric decibel limits. Its noise ordinance, Municipal Code Sec. 5-12.02, is nuisance-based: it is unlawful to make any noise that disturbs the peace or annoys a reasonable person of normal sensitivity. A data center's cooling and generators must not create a noise disturbance.
Salinas has no numeric dB(A) noise standard - unlike Monterey County's 70 dB(A) cap. Municipal Code Chapter 5, Article XII (Sec. 5-12.01 to 5-12.06), adopted by Ordinance 2619 in 2019, prohibits any noise that disturbs a neighborhood or annoys a reasonable person of normal sensitivity. Enforcement weighs the noise's volume, whether it is prolonged and continuous, its contrast with ambient levels, and proximity to homes and businesses. Loading and mechanical noise creating a disturbance across a residential property line between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. is a specific violation. A data center's continuous chillers and backup generators must not create a noise disturbance at any nearby property.
Noise that disturbs the peace is a misdemeanor or administrative citation; fines run $250 first offense, $500 second, and $1,000 for third and later violations within twelve months, each hour a separate offense.
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See how Salinas's data center noise limits rules stack up against other locations.
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