Arcadia, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)

Arcadia regulates data centers through its use tables rather than a stand-alone ordinance. Table 2-8 in § 9102.03.020 covers the commercial and industrial zones C-O, C-G, C-R and M-1. The Data Centers row reads not allowed in C-O, not allowed in C-G, not allowed in C-R, and P (permitted by right) in M-1. That makes the M-1 industrial zone the only commercial or industrial zone where a data center is a matter of right.

The downtown table, Table 2-10 in § 9102.05.020, adds a narrow second option. Its Data Centers row is not allowed in the CBD, MU and DMU zones and C in the CM zone, where a Conditional Use Permit is required. The Conditional Use Permit runs through § 9107.09: the Planning Commission holds a public hearing, the decision is appealable to the City Council, and approval requires findings that the use is compatible with the vicinity and that the site has adequate streets, fire and police protection and utilities.

Section 9102.03.020(B) closes the door on anything unlisted: land uses not listed in the table or not found to be substantially similar to the listed uses are prohibited. The Director assigns undefined uses to a substantially similar classification.

The Development Code defines a data center in § 9109.01.050 as an industrial building containing floor space that houses computer mainframes, servers, and IT equipment primarily for storing and distributing data stored on-site, together with power distribution, cooling, cabling, fire suppression and physical security systems.

Site standards for the M-1 zone come from Table 2-9 in § 9102.03.030: a minimum lot area of 15,000 square feet, a maximum height of 35 feet, a maximum floor area ratio of 0.5, and a 10-foot front setback or setback adjacent to a street. Interior side setbacks abutting nonresidential property are 0 feet. The City of Arcadia's data center rule is a use-table rule, so the operative question is zone first, then these dimensional standards.