Data Centers

Data Centers: Best Practices for Local Government

Bob Staedler’s eight-part series on how cities and counties can set clear standards for data centers, from backup generators and noise to fire protection and what happens when a facility closes.

Each article draws on rules other communities have already adopted, and each one links to the ordinance or study behind it.

Start With the IntroductionDiscuss Your Community’s Proposal

The series

Eight articles, publishing every other day through Nov. 14

What it covers

Seven areas local data center standards should address

The sources

Adopted rules from Fairfax County, Va., Aurora, Ill., and Jefferson County, Mo., plus Washington State’s Quincy air studies

The author

Bob Staedler, Principal of Silicon Valley Synergy

The series

Read the Series

The articles are published on The Synergy Report, Bob’s news and analysis site.

Data Centers Are Coming. Let's Get the Rules Right.Start here · Nov. 2Data Centers Are Coming. Let’s Get the Rules Right.Why The Synergy Report is launching a national best practices series on data center development.Read the introduction → The Data Center Pollution Problem Nobody Sees Every DayLatest · Nov. 4The Data Center Pollution Problem Nobody Sees Every DayData centers are often described as relatively clean industrial facilities. But behind many of these buildings is a substantial amount of equipment that deserves closer attention: emergency backup generators.Read the article →
  1. 01

    Fire protection & emergency response · Nov. 2

    Data Centers Promise Tax Revenue. What Do They Cost Fire Departments?

    When a city considers a major data center development, public discussion often focuses on construction investment, property taxes, and other anticipated revenues.

  2. 02

    Backup generators & air quality · Nov. 4

    The Data Center Pollution Problem Nobody Sees Every Day

    Behind many of these buildings is a substantial amount of equipment that deserves closer attention: emergency backup generators.

  3. 03

    Setbacks & neighborhood compatibility · Nov. 6

    How Close Is Too Close? Cities Are Rethinking Data Center Setbacks

    One of the most consequential decisions in data center development is also one of the simplest: Where should these facilities be allowed?

  4. 04

    Concentration & cumulative impacts · Nov. 8

    One Data Center May Be Manageable. What Happens When There Are Ten?

    Each facility may demonstrate compliance with applicable standards. Yet the cumulative impact of multiple facilities can be substantially different from the impact of any one project.

  5. 05

    Noise, low-frequency sound & vibration · Nov. 10

    The Data Center Noise Problem Doesn’t End When Construction Does

    Construction eventually ends. For a data center, however, some of the most important noise considerations begin after the building opens.

  6. 06

    Existing facilities, reporting & enforcement · Nov. 12

    A Data Center Permit Shouldn’t Be a Lifetime Pass

    Cities spend considerable time reviewing new development proposals. Then the building opens. What happens next?

  7. 07

    Decommissioning & adaptive reuse · Nov. 14

    What Happens When a Data Center Becomes Obsolete?

    A responsible land-use decision should also consider what happens when the original use is no longer economically viable.

Articles scheduled for later dates open on The Synergy Report’s Data Centers page until they publish.

Best practices

What Strong Local Standards Cover

The series groups its recommendations into seven areas. Each one has examples from communities that have already acted.

01

Backup generators and air quality

Aurora, Ill., limits generator testing to two units at a time. Washington State’s Quincy study measured cumulative diesel risk.

02

Setbacks and neighborhood compatibility

Fairfax County, Va., adopted separation distances from homes, and for generators and equipment, in 2024.

03

Concentration and cumulative impacts

The Quincy studies looked at diesel risk across facilities. Jefferson County, Mo., requires an environmental and community impact analysis.

04

Noise, low-frequency sound and vibration

Jefferson County, Mo., uses A- and C-weighted limits, post-construction testing and permanent monitoring. Aurora requires annual noise testing.

05

Fire protection and emergency response

Jefferson County, Mo., requires fire and emergency-service review and addresses it in development agreements.

06

Existing facilities, reporting and enforcement

Jefferson County requires annual certifications and complaint investigations. Aurora applies transparency rules to existing facilities too.

07

Decommissioning and adaptive reuse

Jefferson County, Mo., Section 400.3790 covers closure, decommissioning and financial assurance.

The full guide

Every recommendation, with links to the ordinances and studies, is on The Synergy Report.

Open the Guide

Examples come from the series’ source library. Confirm current ordinance language and effective dates before formal use.

Closer to home

San José’s Data Center Debate

Bob has been covering data center proposals in San José since September, before the national series began.

Weighing a Data Center Proposal?

Silicon Valley Synergy advises public agencies, community organizations and property owners on land use, public-agency real estate and public policy.

If your community is reviewing a proposal or drafting standards, start with a conversation.

Discuss Your Situation
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