San Francisco, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Noise Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Commercial/Industrial Cap
- 8 dBA over ambient
- Measured At
- Property plane
- Interior Night
- 45 dBA (10pm-7am)
- Interior Day
- 55 dBA (7am-10pm)
- Governing Code
- Police Code § 2909
Summary
A data center in San Francisco may not push fixed-equipment noise more than 8 dBA above the ambient at the property plane on commercial or industrial land, under Police Code Section 2909. Inside a nearby home, fixed sources are capped at 45 dBA overnight and 55 dBA daytime.
Commercial And Industrial Property Noise Limits. No person shall produce or allow to be produced by any machine, or device, music or entertainment or any combination of same, on commercial or industrial property over which the person has ownership or control, a noise level more than eight dBA above the local ambient at any point outside of the property plane. With respect to noise generated from a licensed Place of Entertainment, licensed Limited Live Performance Locale, or other location subject to regulation by the Entertainment Commission or its Director, in addition to the above dBA criteria a secondary low frequency dBC criteria shall apply to the definition above. No noise or music associated with a licensed Place of Entertainment, licensed Limited Live Performance Locale, or other location subject to regulation by the Entertainment Commission or its Director, shall exceed the low frequency ambient noise level defined in Section 2901(f) by more than 8 dBC.
(c) Public Property Noise Limits. No person shall produce or allow to be produced by any machine or device, or any combination of same, on public property, a noise level more than ten dBA above the local ambient at a distance of twenty-five feet or more, unless the machine or device is being operated to serve or maintain the property or as otherwise provided in this Article.
(d) Fixed Residential Interior Noise Limits. In order to prevent sleep
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
San Francisco's noise ordinance, Police Code Article 29, Section 2909, governs fixed noise sources. On commercial or industrial property, no machine or device may exceed 8 dBA above the local ambient at any point outside the property plane: the standard a data center's chillers, cooling towers, and generators must meet. A separate interior limit bars any fixed source from causing more than 45 dBA inside a sleeping or living room between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., or 55 dBA between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. The Department of Public Health enforces Section 2909, and the Planning Code's Internet Service Exchange findings independently require fixed-source equipment to meet these decibel levels.
Violations & Fines
Cooling and generator noise exceeding 8 dBA over ambient at the property plane, or breaching the 45/55 dBA interior residential limits, is enforced by the Department of Public Health under Section 2909 and can trigger abatement orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can a data center be in San Francisco?
Are there indoor noise limits protecting nearby homes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview
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