California Drone Laws
With the many advanced models now entering the market, piloting a drone has never been more accessible or easier.
While the flying itself has become simpler, laws related to piloting drones in the US have only gotten stricter and there are a few regulations you need to be aware of before you may get that drone up in the air.
If you want to fly a drone in California, then you’ll need to get familiar with all of the local, state, and federal laws that apply to you.
Also, keep in mind that some of the regulations may differ depending on whether you’re flying recreationally or commercially, but all of it is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
To help you navigate all of these complex rules, we’ve stitched together a handy guide packed with everything you need to know before you can start flying your drone in the state of California. These regulations don’t change too often, but new ones are added on a regular basis – especially on the state and local levels – so we’ll try to keep this list as up to date as possible.
State Drone Laws
The California Department of Transportation and California General Assembly both cover a number of laws pertaining to unmanned aircraft systems. In total, there are 7 regulatory principles that apply to you here if you own a drone.
These laws were drafted by the California State Legislature and they apply to residents of California as well as any visitors who want to fly their drones anywhere in the state.
(Cal. Code Regs. title. 14, § 4351) // 2015
The California Department of Parks & Regulations states that drones are allowed in State Parks, State Beaches, State Historic Parks, State Recreational Areas, and State Vehicular Recreation Areas. However, this is subject to the discretion of each park, so you need to check with your local State Park District as well.
Motorized equipment, including drones, are not allowed in wilderness areas, cultural preserves, and natural preserves, however. You can still contact your local State Park to see if they are willing to accommodate you, and commercial drone flyers may be able to get permission under special circumstances.
District Superintendent’s Order No. 925-19-32
The district superintendent has declared that no one is allowed to launch a model aircraft or Unmanned Aerial System (UAS or “drone”) in any park unit within the Orange Coast District. This includes the following areas: Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington State Beach, Corona del Mar State Beach, Crystal Cove State Park, Doheny State Beach, San Clemente State Beach, and San Onofre State Beach.
Exceptions may be granted for commercial filming, scientific research, and other reasons by the district superintendent.
This bill states that it’s illegal to operate a UAS on and over the grounds of state prisons, jails, and a juvenile hall, camp, or ranch. It is possible to receive permission from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the state sheriff, or the person in charge of the juvenile facility to operate a drone in the area. However, a person without permission who is caught operating a drone will be fined $500.
While this law wasn’t specifically created with drones in mind, it was the first privacy law in California to be amended to include drones. The bill states that it it’s illegal for a person to violate another person’s physical privacy by knowingly operating their drone in the airspace above the land of another person without permission.
California Government Code 853
This law prevents any public employee or first responders from being held liable for damage caused to a UAS that was present or interfering with the operation, support, or enabling of any emergency services.
This law makes it a crime to use a drone in any way that interferes with the work of any first responder or public employee at the scene of an emergency.
This law prevents anyone from flying a drone for pest control purposes unless the pilot operating the aircraft holds a valid pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate issued by the Director of Pesticide Regulation. They should also have a valid commercial pilot’s certificate and a current appropriate medical certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Local Drone Laws
There are a fair bit of local laws that apply to drones across California. These are only valid in the specific counties and regions within the state that they apply to and were drafted by various local authorities. Listed here in no particular order.
National City Parks: Ordinance 12.16.040
Flying any motorized aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicle in city park limits is prohibited, except for the designated areas where it is allowed.
Anaheim: Public Law 108-7
The airspace above the Anaheim Resort is classified as federal national defence airspace and drones aren’t allowed in the airspace around the resort. The no-fly zone extends 3.5 miles in each direction and up to 3,000 feet in the air which covers a large part of the city.
Calabasas: Drone Ordinance 2017-354
This city ordinance imposes community-based safety requirements on UAS use, mainly with regards to drone use near public events and places with protected demographics like schools. It also backs up FAA drone regulations with stronger sentencing.
Hermosa Beach: Ordinance 16-1363
This city ordinance states that drone operators need to apply for and carry a permit, which needs to be renewed annually, in order to operate a drone within city limits. It adds that no person except for the applicant may fly the drone and that the drone needs to have the permit sticker and identification number visible on the aircraft’s body.
The ordinance also reinforces current privacy-related drone regulations by stating that no one is allowed to operate a Model Aircraft or civil UAS in the city in a way that records an image or video of someone when they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. It also prohibits drones and model aircraft from being flown in any airspace in city limits that interferes with manned aircraft.
La Mesa: Municipal Ordinance 9.08.150
This city ordinance prohibits anyone from operating a model aircraft or UAS within any city park.
Los Angeles: Ordinance No 183912
This city ordinance covers a wide range of do’s and don’ts for those looking to operate drones within the city of Los Angeles. Notable regulations include drone operators being prohibited from flying their drones more than 400 feet above the earth’s surface. It also prohibits drones from being flown within 5 miles of an airport without permission, or within 25 feet of another person.
Malibu: Ordinance 282
Most of the area in and around Malibu counts as National Park airspace, which prohibits recreational and commercial flying. Commercial permits are available, however, for certain applications such as films and real estate.
MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District Lands: Regulations Sec. 409.4
This regulation prevents anyone from operating a drone over any property or area owned or managed by the MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District. There are designated areas where commercial drone use is allowed with a permit only.
This ordinance prohibits the use of drones in Orange county parks. There are a few exceptions, but you’ll need to check with your local park ranger to find out about drone flying permissions.
San Clemente: Municipal Code (SCMC), Chapter 8.82 – Unmanned Aircraft Systems
The City of San Clemente has adopted a local ordinance to establish regulations regarding the reasonable time, place, and manner of UA operations. These regulations state that drone pilots cannot takeoff, land, or operate a UA outside of their visual-line-of-sight or within 25 feet of another individual except for the pilot’s designee.
Taking off, landing, or operating a drone over City-permitted events open to the public, or over private property without the consent of the owner is also prohibited. One of the more interesting additions is that drone flying is also prohibited 30 minutes before the official sunset time and the official sunrise time.
San Diego: Article 9.5 Noise Abatement and Control, Division 4: Limits
The city of San Diego has a detailed explanation of FAA-approved do’s and don’ts when flying drones in and around the city. One of the city’s ordinances that drone operators should know about is its noise ordinance that may be applicable to louder drones. It limits the amount of sound that drones are allowed to make in certain areas of the city during different times of the day.
All Golden Gate National Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area are designated “no drone zones” and drone operators may not launch, land, or operate unmanned aircraft in these areas. Those who are found to violate this rule will face a citation of at least $125.
Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority: Regulations Sec. 11.01.01
This regulation prevents anyone from operating a drone over any property or area owned or managed by the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. There are designated areas where commercial drone use is allowed with a permit only, with the exception of emergency services and law enforcement who do not need a permit to operate drones in these areas.
Yorba Linda: Ordinance No 2017-1047
This ordinance states that drone operators have to keep the vehicles in their line of sight when the drone is taking off or landing. Landings also cannot take place within 25 feet of another individual besides the operator or pilot’s designee. Takeoffs and landings are also prohibited on private property without the consent of the owner.
Federal Drone Laws
Keep in mind that federal laws take precedence over state and local laws. So if you encounter any laws that contradict each other, then consider the federal regulation as the final rule of law. Also, while the FAA possesses the exclusive authority to enforce all aviation law, local authorities can get involved in investigating and prosecuting illegal drone activity.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the FAA distinguishes between recreational and commercial fliers and that there are some separate laws that touch on either designation.
FAA Regulation 14 CFR Parts 1, 45, 47, 48, 91, and 375
This regulation requires all unmanned aircraft (UA) to be registered and marked before operators are allowed to fly them anywhere in the US. The FAA UAV registration process requires that the owner of the drone be 13 years of age or older and that all UAV’s must be marked with the assigned FAA issued registration code. The permit lasts for 3 years after which it can be renewed with the FAA again.
Federal Drone Regulations For Recreational Purposes
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018
This act touches upon where, when, and how a drone operator is allowed to fly their UAS for recreational purposes only. It states that you need to have your drone registered and carry proof of registration with you when flying the drone.
Drones are also only allowed to be flown in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace which doesn’t go above 400 feet above ground level. Those who want to fly their drones in controlled airspace need to get permission from the FAA to do so. The drone also needs to stay within the sight of the drone operator or a visual observer who is co-located (in direct communication) with the operator.
Other standard regulations also apply, like not flying at night unless the drone has adequate lights, not flying in a way that bothers others, not flying while under the influence, and not flying in a reckless manner. Violating any of these rules can result in criminal and/or civil penalties.
Federal Drone Regulations For Commercial Purposes
The main regulation commercial fliers need to look out for is the Aircraft Rule Part 107. This regulation only applies to unmanned aircraft that weigh less than 55 pounds (25kg). Part 107 includes many rules that commonly apply to recreational fliers as well as some extras such as regulations around external load operations, flight speed, and operational limitations.
Drone owners who wish to use their drones for commercial purposes will also have to apply for a drone pilot certification in addition to getting their drone permit.
