San Benito County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)
Key Facts
- Dedicated Rule
- None; treated as light industrial
- Industrial Zones
- BP, M-1, M-2
- Approval
- Administrative Use Permit plus CEQA
- Standards
- 25 ft front, 40 ft height
- Jurisdiction
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
San Benito County has no data-center ordinance. A data center is treated as a light industrial facility, allowed in the Business Park (BP), Light Industrial (M-1), or Heavy Industrial (M-2) district with an Administrative Use Permit under Title 25, Section 25.03.007, plus CEQA review. County zoning covers unincorporated land only.
The M-1 district is intended to allow light industrial development near existing transportation systems (e.g., highways, rail, air). This includes: warehouses, contractor yards, nurseries, lumber yards, auto repair shops, light manufacturing and/or assembly, and research and development operations that do not cause significant environmental hazards or create major pollution.
(D) Heavy Industrial (M-2) District — Intent. The M-2 district is intended to provide areas for heavy industrial activities that are not suitable for urban areas because of their size, noise, dust, traffic, or safety concerns. This could include large-scale manufacturing operations, mining and aggregate production facilities, recycling transfer centers, chemical and explosives manufacturing, or other similar uses.
(E) BP, M-1 and M-2 permitted uses. The table below designates uses are permitted, administratively permitted, conditionally permitted, or prohibited in BP, M-1 and M-2 districts. The regulations in this section apply to every lot and building site in the BP, M-1 and M-2 zoning districts, except where modified by a combining zone. Table 25.03-H
Land Use Regulations -Industrial Zones “P” = Permitted Use “A” = Administrative Use Permit Required “C” = Conditional Use Permit Required “—” = Not Allowed All new structures require review, per
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
There is no data-center-specific use in the county code. Under Title 25, Section 25.03.007 (Ordinance 1043, 2022), a server facility fits the "light industrial facilities" classification in Table 25.03-H, which requires an Administrative Use Permit in the BP, M-1, and M-2 districts, confirmed through the Similar Uses interpretation in Chapter 25.01. Industrial standards set a 25-foot front and street-side setback, a 40-foot height limit, and a 0.8 floor area ratio, with a 25-foot side setback where a use abuts a residential zone. A large facility with backup generators or fuel storage can trigger a Conditional Use Permit and CEQA review of power, water, and noise. This governs unincorporated land only; Hollister and San Juan Bautista set their own zoning.
Violations & Fines
Building a data center without the required Administrative or Conditional Use Permit, or in a non-industrial zone, is a zoning violation. The Resource Management Agency can withhold building permits, issue stop-work orders, and pursue code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a data center be built in unincorporated San Benito County?
Does San Benito County have data center rules, and how can I weigh in?
Do county zoning rules apply inside Hollister or San Juan Bautista?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview
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