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

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

Key Facts

Dedicated ordinance
None
Districts
IGC, IBP, IG industrial
Base approval
Site Plan Review (administrative)
CUP trigger
Major telecom or utility use
Height / FAR
No limit; 0.40-0.50 FAR

Summary

The City of Salinas has its own Zoning Code and no data-center use category. Data centers locate in the IGC, IBP, and IG industrial districts, classified as an industrial or research use needing Site Plan Review, or a Conditional Use Permit if a major telecommunications or utility use.

The industrial-general (IG) district regulations provide for the full range of manufacturing, industrial processing, general service, and distribution uses deemed suitable for location in Salinas; and protect Salinas' general industrial areas from competition for space from unrelated commercial uses that could more appropriately be located elsewhere in the city.

Source: Salinas Municipal Code Ch. 37 (Zoning) & Ch. 5, Art. XII (Noise)View official code

Full Breakdown

Salinas Municipal Code Chapter 37 does not name 'data center' as a use in Table 37-30.130. A data center is sited in the city's industrial districts - IGC, IBP, and IG - and classified into the closest listed use. As Industry-General, Industry-Limited, or Research and Development Services, it needs administrative Site Plan Review; Industry-General is allowed only in the IG district. If it functions as a Major Telecommunications Facility or Major Utility, a discretionary Conditional Use Permit is required in all three districts, triggering CEQA review and a Planning Commission hearing. Industrial buildings have no height limit and a 0.40-0.50 floor area ratio. Salinas has adopted no data-center ordinance and no moratorium.

Violations & Fines

Building or operating a data center outside an industrial district, or without the required Site Plan Review or Conditional Use Permit, is a Zoning Code violation enforced by Code Enforcement through stop-work orders, citations, and abatement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can data centers be built in the City of Salinas?
In the industrial districts - IGC, IBP, and IG - under Municipal Code Chapter 37. There is no data-center use category, so staff classifies each project into the closest listed industrial use in Table 37-30.130.
Does Salinas require a special permit for a data center?
Often just administrative Site Plan Review as an industrial or research use. One classified as a Major Telecommunications Facility or Major Utility needs a discretionary Conditional Use Permit and CEQA review.
Has Salinas adopted data-center rules or a moratorium?
No. The city has no data-center ordinance and no moratorium; industrial zoning and the nuisance noise rules govern. Ask the Planning Commission for tailored standards at salinas.gov/Your-Government/Boards-and-Commissions/Planning-Commission.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Salinas

Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSignificant RestrictionsData Center Noise LimitsHeavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions

All Salinas rules

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