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Los Angeles County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Data-Center Rule: None in Title 22
Treated As: Industrial use
Where Allowed: Manufacturing (M) zones
Review: CEQA + site plan
Board Study: Adopted April 14, 2026

Summary

Unincorporated Los Angeles County has no data-center-specific zoning. Title 22 does not define or regulate data centers, so they are reviewed as an industrial use permitted in the County's manufacturing (M) zones, subject to CEQA. A County study of new rules is underway.

City-specific rules exist: Long Beach, Los Angeles, El Monte, Pasadena, Torrance, Palmdale, Lakewood, Norwalk, Glendale, Lancaster, Pomona, Inglewood, West Covina, Santa Monica, Burbank, Santa Clarita, Downey, and Compton have their own data center zoning & siting rules that differ from Los Angeles County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Title 22 (Planning and Zoning) of the LA County Code currently does not have regulations specifically for data centers or warehouses designed for data storage, processing, and generation associated with Artificial Intelligence technology.

Source: Los Angeles County Code, Title 22 (Planning and Zoning)View official code

Full Breakdown

Los Angeles County's Title 22 planning and zoning code contains no data-center use classification or standards. Absent a definition, a data center is treated as an industrial use and is generally allowed in the County's manufacturing zones, M-1 (Light), M-1.5, M-2 (Heavy), M-2.5, M-3, and MPD, that steer heavy uses away from homes. Discretionary entitlements trigger California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. On April 14, 2026, the Board of Supervisors adopted Supervisor Solis's motion directing Regional Planning and Public Health to study data-center impacts and recommend code amendments within 120 days. County zoning governs only unincorporated land; the City of Los Angeles and other cities set their own rules.

Violations & Fines

Building a data center outside an appropriately zoned industrial area, or without required site-plan and CEQA approvals, blocks permits and draws County zoning enforcement, including stop-work orders until the parcel conforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can data centers be built in unincorporated LA County?

There is no data-center-specific zone. They are treated as an industrial use and generally allowed in the County's manufacturing (M) zones, subject to site-plan review and CEQA.

Does LA County have data-center regulations?

Not yet. Title 22 does not define or regulate data centers. On April 14, 2026 the Board of Supervisors directed staff to study impacts and recommend rules within 120 days.

Sources & Official References

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All Los Angeles County rules

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