Kings County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)
Key Facts
- Dedicated Ordinance
- None; industrial zoning
- Zones
- IL and IH industrial
- Best-Fit Use
- Public utility structures
- Base Approval
- Site Plan Review (Art. 16)
- Environmental
- CEQA review applies
Summary
Kings County has no dedicated data center ordinance. In unincorporated areas a data center is an industrial use, sited in the IL Light Industrial or IH Heavy Industrial district under Development Code Article 8, subject to Site Plan Review and CEQA. Hanford, Lemoore, Corcoran, and Avenal set their own zoning.
Public utility and public service structures and facilities such as communications equipment buildings, electric distribution substations, electric transmission substations, gas regulator stations, public service pumping stations, public utility service yards, railroad rights-of-way and stations, reservoirs and storage tanks.
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated Kings County regulates data centers through its Development Code (Article 8), not a data-center chapter. The Industrial (I) zones are the IL Light Industrial and IH Heavy Industrial districts. A server or computing facility fits the code's listed use "public utility and public service structures... communications equipment buildings," which requires Site Plan Review (Article 16) in both IL and IH under Table 8-1. A more intensive or unlisted variant needs a Conditional Use Permit (Article 17). Industrial setbacks run 25 feet front in IL (15 in IH) and 15 feet side and rear, wider where a site abuts a residential zone. These discretionary approvals trigger CEQA review. Much of the county is agricultural land, which would need rezoning first.
Violations & Fines
Building or expanding a data center in unincorporated Kings County without Site Plan Review, a required Conditional Use Permit, 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 Kings County?
Does Kings County have data center rules, and how can I weigh in?
Does county zoning apply inside Hanford or Lemoore?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kings County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kings County to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview
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