San Jose, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)
Key Facts
- Industrial districts (CIC/TEC/IP/LI/HI)
- Special Use Permit required
- CG Commercial General district
- Conditional Use Permit required
- CO, CP, CN commercial districts
- Use not permitted
- PQP district
- CUP, incidental use only (Note 21)
Summary
San Jose requires a discretionary Special Use Permit for data centers in all five industrial zoning districts and a Conditional Use Permit in the CG Commercial General district. The use is barred outright in the CO, CP, and CN commercial districts.
Table 20-110 (Industrial Zoning District Use Regulations), row "Data center": CIC S / TEC S / IP S / LI S / HI S, Note 2. Section 20.50.100.E: “‘Special’ uses are indicated by an ‘S’ on Table 20-110. These uses may be allowed in such designated districts, as an independent use, but only upon issuance of and in compliance with a Special Use Permit as set forth in Chapter 20.100.”
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Under Table 20-110, a data center needs a Special Use Permit in every industrial district. CIC, TEC, IP, LI, and HI. Under Table 20-90, it needs a Conditional Use Permit but only in the CG Commercial General district; it isn't a listed use at all in CO, CP, or CN. In the PQP Public/Quasi-Public district, Note 21 allows a data center only as an incidental use supporting a primary PQP use, again with a Conditional Use Permit. No zoning district treats a data center as a by-right permitted use.
Violations & Fines
Building or operating a data center without the required Special Use Permit (industrial districts) or Conditional Use Permit (CG district) is an unpermitted use under Title 20, subject to code enforcement action including a stop-work order until the permit is obtained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a data center be built anywhere in San Jose?
Which office reviews a San Jose data center permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Jose
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