Tulare County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)
Key Facts
- Dedicated Ordinance
- None; general industrial zoning
- Allowed Zones
- M-1 (Sec. 13), M-2 (Sec. 14)
- Base Approval
- Planning Commission Site Plan Review
- Discretionary Path
- Special Use Permit (Sec. 16)
- Environmental
- CEQA review applies
Summary
Tulare County has no dedicated data center ordinance. In unincorporated areas a data center is an industrial use, sited in the M-1 or M-2 manufacturing zone under Zoning Ordinance No. 352, subject to Site Plan Review and CEQA. Cities like Visalia, Tulare, and Porterville set their own zoning.
The Light Manufacturing Zone is intended for establishments engaged in the manufacturing, assembling, packaging, treatment and processing of products other than those which may be obnoxious or offensive by reason of emission of odor, dust, smoke, gas, noise or other similar causes.
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated Tulare County regulates data centers through its general Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 352), not a data-center chapter. A server or computing facility is an industrial use, permitted in the M-1 zone (Chapter 3, Section 13) and the M-2 zone (Section 14); M-1 already lists assembly of computers and business machines and public utility structures among allowed uses. Development requires Site Plan Review by the Planning Commission (Section 16.2), and a use the Director cannot match to a listed use needs a Special Use Permit (Section 16). Because these are discretionary approvals, CEQA review applies. Buildings top out at six stories or 75 feet, with a 6-foot screen wall where the site adjoins a residential zone.
Violations & Fines
Building or expanding a data center in unincorporated Tulare County without Site Plan Review, a required Special Use Permit, or CEQA clearance stalls approval and draws county code enforcement until the project conforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a data center be built in Tulare County?
Does Tulare County have data center rules, and how can I weigh in?
Does county zoning apply inside Visalia, Tulare, or Porterville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tulare County
California rules heatmap·Compare Tulare County to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview
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