San Francisco, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)
Key Facts
- Use Category
- Internet Service Exchange
- Accessory Limit
- 25,000 sq ft / 2 MW
- Above Limit
- Conditional Use Authorization
- Environmental Review
- CEQA required
- Jurisdiction
- Consolidated city-county
Summary
San Francisco is one of few cities with a dedicated data-center land-use rule. The Planning Code treats a data center as an "Internet Service Exchange": allowed as an accessory use up to 25,000 sq ft, while larger facilities need Conditional Use Authorization, air-quality compliance, and annual energy reporting.
Utility and Infrastructure. A Use Category that includes Community Recycling Center, Internet Service Exchange, Power Plant, Public Transportation Facility, Public Utilities Yard, Wireless Telecommunications Services (WTS) Facility, and Utility Installation. (Amended by Ord. 166-16; Ord. 202-18; see Sec. 102 history note.) Utility Installation. A Utility and Infrastructure Use that includes, but is not necessarily limited to, water, gas, electric, transportation, or communications utilities, or public service facility, provided that operating requirements necessitate placement at this location. This use does not include Wireless Telecommunications Services Facilities, or Public Transportation Facilities, as defined in this Section of the Code. (Amended by Ord. 166-16; see Sec. 102 history note.) ** V ** Variance. An authorization to deviate from the strict application of certain Planning Code requirements pursuant to Section 305 of this Code. (Added by Ord. 129-17; see Sec. 102 history note.) Vehicle Storage Garage. A Retail Automotive Use that provides for the storage of buses, recreational vehicles, mobile homes, trailers, or boats and/or storage for more than 72 hours of other vehicles in an enclosed structure. It shall not include rooftop storage. A Vehicle Storage Garage shall comply with the street frontage requirements of the district in which it is located. Vehicle Storage Lot. A Retail Automotive Use that provides for the storage of
Full Breakdown
San Francisco regulates data centers under its Planning Code as an "Internet Service Exchange," a use in the Utility and Infrastructure category defined in Section 102. A facility over 25,000 gross square feet of floor area, or drawing more than two megawatts of back-up generation, is not accessory and requires Conditional Use Authorization from the Planning Commission under Section 303. Approval findings require screened rooftop equipment, back-up power meeting air-pollution controls, energy-efficient design, examined on-site generation, and binding annual reporting of energy use and diesel-generator hours. CEQA review applies, and the City has adopted no data-center moratorium. As a consolidated city and county, this page covers the whole jurisdiction: there is no separate San Francisco County to check.
Violations & Fines
Building or expanding an Internet Service Exchange above the 25,000-square-foot accessory threshold without Conditional Use Authorization blocks Planning Department approval; failing to file the required annual energy and diesel-generator reports breaches the conditions of approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a data center be built in San Francisco?
Does San Francisco have a separate county data-center rule?
How can I weigh in on a data-center project in San Francisco?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview
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