Glenn County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)
Key Facts
- Dedicated Ordinance
- None; industrial zoning
- Allowed Zone
- M Industrial (by right)
- Classified Under
- Sec. 15.030.020 interpretation
- Setbacks / Height
- 25 ft near homes; 75 ft
- Environmental
- CEQA if discretionary
Summary
Glenn County has no dedicated data-center ordinance. In unincorporated areas a data center is an industrial use, allowed in the M (Industrial) Zone under Title 15, subject to site plan review and CEQA. The cities of Willows and Orland set their own zoning.
Where a proposed land use is not specifically listed by the applicable zone district within which the property proposed for the use is located, the director may determine that the use is a permitted use, or the use is permitted if a use permit is first secured.
Full Breakdown
Rural Glenn County does not name data centers in its Unified Development Code (Title 15, adopted September 27, 2018). The M Industrial Zone permits by right "machinery including electrical, electronic and communications," warehousing, research laboratories, and public utility transmission/distribution lines under Section 15.440.020. Because a server facility is not listed, Section 15.030.020 lets the Planning Director classify it as a permitted use similar in character and impact to those, or require a conditional use permit. The M zone requires no front, side, or rear yard except a 25-foot buffer next to residential land, caps building height at 75 feet, and mandates site plan review before a building permit. Discretionary approvals trigger CEQA. These rules govern unincorporated land only.
Violations & Fines
Building a data center on land not zoned M, or without required site plan review, a use permit, or CEQA clearance, is a zoning violation. The county can withhold building permits and issue stop-work orders until the parcel conforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a data center be built in unincorporated Glenn County?
Does Glenn County have data center rules, and how can I weigh in?
Do these county rules apply inside Willows or Orland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glenn County
California rules heatmap·Compare Glenn County to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview
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