Fresno County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)
Key Facts
- Dedicated Ordinance
- None; general industrial zoning
- Districts
- M-1, M-2, M-3 industrial
- Base Approval
- Director Site Plan Review
- Discretionary Path
- Conditional Use Permit (Sec. 873)
- Environmental
- CEQA review applies
Summary
Fresno County has no dedicated data center ordinance. In unincorporated areas a data center is treated as an industrial use, sited in the M-1, M-2, or M-3 industrial districts under the county Zoning Ordinance, subject to Site Plan Review and CEQA. Incorporated cities set their own zoning.
The "M-2" General Industrial District is intended to provide for the establishment of industrial uses essential to the development of a balanced economic base.
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated Fresno County regulates data centers only through its general Zoning Ordinance, not a data-center chapter. A server or computing facility falls under industrial uses in the M-1 Light Industrial (Section 843), M-2 General Industrial (Section 844), and M-3 Heavy Industrial (Section 845) districts. The M-2 district permits all M-1 uses plus manufacturing and microwave relay structures, and requires Director Site Plan Review before any building is erected (Section 844.6). Because data centers are not a named use, the Public Works and Planning Director classifies the project; discretionary approvals such as a Conditional Use Permit under Section 873 or a Planned Industrial Development trigger CEQA environmental review. Cities such as Fresno and Clovis apply their own zoning within city limits.
Violations & Fines
Building or expanding a data center in unincorporated Fresno County without required Site Plan Review, a Conditional Use Permit where the Director requires one, or CEQA clearance stalls approval and draws county code enforcement until the project conforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a data center be built in Fresno County?
Does Fresno County have data center rules, and how can I weigh in?
Does the county zoning apply inside the City of Fresno?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno County
California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno County to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview
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