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

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Allowed Zones
M-1, M-2, M-3 industrial
Code
Title 9, Sec. 90515-90517
Data Center Yard
CUP required (M-1)
Height Limit
80 ft / six stories
Approvals
Frozen by 2026 moratorium

Summary

Imperial County's zoning code names data centers directly: allowed by right in the M-1, M-2, and M-3 industrial zones, while an open-air "data center yard" needs a conditional use permit. A 2026 moratorium currently freezes all approvals. These rules cover unincorporated land only.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Imperial County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Data center (within enclosed building)

Source: Imperial County Land Use Ordinance, Title 9 (Zoning Div. 5, Noise Div. 7) & 2026 Data Center Moratorium (Gov. Code §65858)View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Under Title 9, Division 5 of the county Land Use Ordinance, a "Data center (within enclosed building)" is a permitted use in the M-1 Light Industrial zone (Sec. 90515.01), and "Data centers" are permitted in M-2 Medium Industrial (Sec. 90516.01) and, through M-2's list, in M-3 Heavy Industrial. An open-air "Data center yard" requires a conditional use permit in M-1 (Sec. 90515.02). Industrial buildings may reach 80 feet or six stories, with a 10-foot front setback and no required side or rear yard. Large projects trigger CEQA review and Imperial Irrigation District coordination for power. Since June 2026, however, a county moratorium bars any data center approval countywide. Cities such as El Centro zone their own land.

Violations & Fines

Building or operating a data center outside an M-1, M-2, or M-3 zone, without required permits, or running an open-air data center yard without a conditional use permit is a zoning violation, drawing permit denial and code enforcement abatement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Imperial County name data centers in its zoning code?
Yes. Title 9 lists "Data center (within enclosed building)" as a permitted use in the M-1 zone and "Data centers" in M-2, with heavier M-3 zones following M-2's permitted-use list.
Where can a data center be built in the unincorporated county?
In the M-1, M-2, or M-3 industrial zones, though no approvals can issue while the 2026 moratorium runs through about June 2027.
Is crypto mining treated differently from a data center?
No. The code has no separate crypto rule, so a cryptocurrency-mining server operation is a data center under Title 9 and is caught by the same industrial zoning and the 2026 moratorium.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Imperial County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions

All Imperial County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview

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