Santa Clara, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Noise Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code
- SCCC 9.10.040 Schedule A
- Home limit
- 55 day / 50 night
- Light Industrial
- 70 dBA anytime
- Heavy Industrial
- 75 dBA anytime
- Measured at
- Affected property line
Summary
Santa Clara's own noise ordinance, City Code Section 9.10.040, caps exterior noise at the receiving property by zone: 55 dBA day and 50 dBA night at single-family homes, 70 dBA in Light Industrial, and 75 dBA in Heavy Industrial. Data-center cooling and generators must comply.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate ... any fixed source of disturbing, excessive or offensive sound or noise ... such that the sound or noise originating from that source causes the sound or noise level on any other property to exceed the maximum noise or sound levels which are set forth in Schedule A.
Full Breakdown
City Code Section 9.10.040, Schedule A, makes it unlawful to operate a fixed noise source whose level at any other property exceeds the limit for that receiving zone. Single-family and duplex residential (R1, R2): 55 dBA from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 50 dBA overnight. Commercial and office: 65/60. Light Industrial (ML, MP): 70 dBA anytime; Heavy Industrial (MH): 75 dBA anytime. Measurement is taken at the closest point on the affected property, and if the noise carries music or speech the limit drops by five dBA. A data center's continuous chillers, cooling towers, and backup generators are held to the nearest receiver's number - the 50 dBA overnight residential floor binds where an industrial site abuts homes.
Violations & Fines
Noise exceeding the Section 9.10.040 Schedule A limits is a City Code violation enforced by the Santa Clara Police Department and Code Enforcement, and can also breach the noise conditions placed on a data center's Use Permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud can a data center be in Santa Clara?
How do Santa Clara's noise limits differ from the County's?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview
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Data Center Noise Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle data center noise limits.