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Kingsport Advances Strict Zoning Rules for Crypto Mining and Data Centers

A final vote will decide whether Kingsport enforces measurable sound caps to address mining noise.

Overview

  • City leaders approved the ordinance on first reading, sending it to a required second vote before it can take effect.
  • Crypto mining would be limited to heavy industrial zones and would require a special exception along with ongoing sound and vibration studies.
  • Operators must use fully enclosed buildings, keep at least 500 feet from residential property, and meet a 60 dBA maximum at the property line.
  • Board members described the proposal as a balanced approach and noted other communities are reviewing the framework.
  • The action follows local noise disputes, including a stalled CleanSpark plan and complaints about a nearby Limestone site, as national scrutiny grows with lawsuits such as Earthjustice’s case in Texas.