Monterey County has no dedicated data-center ordinance. A data center is regulated only as a general industrial use: it belongs in a Light or Heavy Industrial district, needs a discretionary Use Permit, and triggers CEQA review. Coastal-zone sites also need a Coastal Development Permit. County zoning covers unincorporated land only.
There is no data-center-specific law in Monterey County. A server or computing facility is treated as a general industrial use. In the inland area, Title 21 places it in the Light Industrial 'LI' district (Chapter 21.26) or Heavy Industrial 'HI' district (Chapter 21.28); because it is not listed by right, the Housing and Community Development Department requires a discretionary Use Permit, triggering CEQA review. Monterey is a coastal county, so a parcel inside the Coastal Zone instead falls under Title 20, the certified Local Coastal Program, and also needs a Coastal Development Permit under the California Coastal Act. This applies only to unincorporated land; the twelve cities, including Salinas and Monterey, adopt their own zoning.
Establishing a data center on land not zoned for industry, or without the required Use Permit and, in the Coastal Zone, a Coastal Development Permit, is a zoning violation. The county can deny permits, issue stop-work orders, and pursue enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Monterey, CA
The City of Monterey regulates noise through its municipal code, prohibiting loud and disturbing noise with stricter nighttime limits (generally 10 p.m.–7 a....
Monterey, CA
Persistent dog barking in the City of Monterey is enforced under the noise ordinance and animal provisions as a disturbance; chronic barking that disturbs ne...
Monterey, CA
Construction noise in the City of Monterey is limited to daytime hours under the noise ordinance — typically 7 a.m.–7 p.m. weekdays with reduced weekend hour...
Monterey, CA
Driveway approaches in the City of Monterey require an encroachment permit and must meet city standards; vehicles generally must be parked on an approved pav...
Monterey, CA
On-street parking in the City of Monterey is governed by the vehicle code, with extensive metered and time-limited zones downtown and near the wharf, plus 72...
Monterey, CA
RV, trailer and boat storage on residential lots in the City of Monterey is regulated by zoning, which restricts placement and prohibits living in a parked RV.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Monterey County.
See how Monterey's data center zoning & siting rules stack up against other locations.
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