Hayward, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)
Key Facts
- Dedicated ordinance
- Yes, adopted April 2026
- Permit
- Major Conditional Use Permit
- Decision body
- City Council public hearing
- Zones
- IL, IP, IG industrial
- Review
- CEQA + benefits plan
Summary
The City of Hayward regulates data centers directly. An April 2026 code amendment created a specific data-center use category and requires every new data center to obtain a Major Conditional Use Permit, approved by the City Council at a public hearing, with CEQA review.
the Hayward City Council amended the Hayward Municipal Code in April of 2026 to create a specific data center category and require that any new data center application be subject to Major Conditional Use Permit approval, which requires a public hearing with the City Council.
Full Breakdown
Data centers locate in Hayward's Industrial District subdistricts - Light Industrial (IL), Industrial Park (IP), and General Industrial (IG) - under Zoning Ordinance Section 10-1.1600. Until April 2026 the code had no data-center use, so projects were processed as "office" use and approved administratively; four facilities were built that way, including Amazon's SF09 and SF011 and STACK's 76.6 MW campus. In April 2026 the City Council amended the Municipal Code to create a specific data-center category. Every new data center now needs a Major Conditional Use Permit decided by the City Council at a public hearing, CEQA review, a Sustainability Plan, and a Community Benefits Plan. Owners within 300 feet receive mailed notice.
Violations & Fines
Building or operating a data center without the required Major Conditional Use Permit, or outside an Industrial subdistrict, is a Zoning Ordinance violation enforced by Development Services through stop-work orders, penalties, and permit revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can data centers be built in Hayward?
Does Hayward require a special permit for a data center?
How can I weigh in on a Hayward data center proposal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hayward
California rules heatmap·Compare Hayward to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview
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