Maricopa County has no decibel limit; Noise Ordinance P-23 uses an audibility standard. Data center cooling and generators must not be heard inside closed homes within 500 feet of the property line, or the owner faces misdemeanor charges.
Arizona sets no statewide decibel standard, so unincorporated Maricopa County relies on Noise Ordinance P-23 (adopted February 15, 2006). It bans noise that 'disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood' when it can be heard from inside closed residential structures within 500 feet of the source property. Mechanical heating and cooling equipment is exempt only if it stays below that 500-foot audibility threshold — the key limit on data center chillers. Noise from power-plant equipment during normal operations is also exempt. Normal-hours business operations are excepted. The Maricopa County Sheriff enforces P-23 through the Justice Courts.
Violating P-23 is a misdemeanor: fines up to $300 first offense, $500 second, and $750 for third and later offenses. Each day the noise continues is a separate offense, prosecuted in Maricopa County Justice Courts.
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