Neighbors describe it the same way in Wisconsin, Michigan, Mississippi and Tennessee: a low hum that never stops, that you feel in your chest at night, that the city says is "within limits." In 2026, at least six class actions in the United States allege that hum is a legal nuisance. California does not have one yet, but the projects in Coachella, Perris, the Imperial Valley and La Puente make it worth understanding how they work.
Where the Noise Comes From
A data center is a building full of computers that generate heat. To cool them, operators run industrial fans, cooling towers and chillers 24 hours a day. Add dozens of diesel backup generators that are tested periodically and, at some sites, gas turbines. The result is a constant sound, much of it low-frequency.
Why the City Says It "Complies"
Noise ordinances measure in "A-weighted" decibels (dBA), a scale designed to mimic human hearing at mid frequencies. The low sound of fans and transformers measures much lower in dBA than it feels. The lawsuit against Microsoft in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin (July 2026) alleges exactly that: the hum "is not detected and reflected in dBA measurements."
What a "Nuisance" Is in California
California Civil Code section 3479 defines a nuisance as anything "injurious to health" or "offensive to the senses" that interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of property. Continuous noise that prevents sleep can qualify. But every case needs proof: when, how much, how often and with what effect.
Noise-Log Template
Use a notebook or a note on your phone. Each time the noise wakes or bothers you, write down: date, start and end time, description (hum, vibration, generator), what you were doing, whether you closed windows, and whether anyone else at home noticed. Record 30 seconds on your phone and save the file with the date. If you have a decibel app, note the reading, it is not definitive proof, but it helps.
What Else to Document
Complaints filed with the city or county (save the number), medical visits for insomnia, headaches or anxiety, and any letter from the company. If the company offers to buy your home or pay you in exchange for signing something, do not sign without advice.
Talk to Us
This is a new area of law and we do not promise results. What we do offer is an honest evaluation, in Spanish and at no cost, of whether your situation is a nuisance case, a health case, a worker case, or a matter best taken to a community organization. Call us.