California Drone Laws

Prohibits physical or constructive invasion of privacy by operating a drone to capture images, sound recordings, or other impressions of persons engaging in private, personal, or familial activities without consent. Creates civil liability through both general and special damages (with treble damages available) and statutory civil fine.

Makes it a misdemeanor to willfully remain at the scene of an emergency in a way that impedes firefighters, peace officers, or emergency medical personnel. Drone flight over wildfire scenes or emergency operations directly triggers this statute.

Expressly names unmanned aircraft systems among covered instrumentalities for criminal peeping. Prohibits using a drone to view the interior of a bedroom, bathroom, dressing room, or other private area where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists, with intent to invade that privacy.

California is a two-party-consent state for recording confidential communications. A drone microphone that captures a private conversation without consent of all parties violates this statute. Separate civil liability attaches under Penal Code § 637.2.

Statewide regulation prohibiting the use of motorized equipment (including drones) within any wilderness area, cultural preserve, or natural preserve administered by California State Parks, regardless of posted orders by district superintendents.

Allows state park rangers to cite drone operators whose flights endanger park visitors, property, or wildlife, even in parks without a posted drone-ban order.

Prohibits pursuing, driving, herding, or taking any bird or mammal from any motor-driven air vehicle, including drones. Bars using aircraft or drones to locate or assist in locating big-game mammals beginning 48 hours before through 48 hours after any big-game season.

Prohibits harassing any game or nongame bird or mammal with a drone or other means.

Prohibits operating any drone on California Department of Fish and Wildlife-administered land except under a Special Use Permit issued by the department.

Provides immunity to local public entities and emergency responders from liability for damage to drones or UAS occurring while providing emergency services (firefighting, rescue, emergency medical services) when the drone is interfering with those operations.

Makes it an infraction to knowingly and intentionally operate a UAS on or above the grounds of a state prison, county jail, or juvenile detention facility.

Establishes drone operation restrictions within Los Angeles city limits: 400-foot altitude cap, visual line of sight requirement, daylight-only operation, 25-foot standoff from persons, and 5-mile airport notification. Prohibits flying over active public-safety operations (fire, police, rescue).

Bars launching or landing any airplane, helicopter, parachute, hang glider, hot-air balloon, or 'any other machine or apparatus of aviation' in any city park without written permission from Recreation and Park Department. Enforced against drones under catch-all language; SF Rec & Park currently maintains moratorium on recreational drone permits.

Prohibits drone operations in Sacramento County parks except in designated compatible areas or with express written permission of the Director of Parks and Recreation.

Prohibits operation of self-propelled model airplanes and drones in all Marin County parks, playgrounds, bicycle and multi-use paths, recreation centers, and other county recreational facilities.

Prohibits drone takeoff and landing outside visual line of sight; within 25 feet of other persons (except operator or designee); on private property without owner consent; within 500 feet of special events or emergency response situations.

Enforces FAA UAS regulations as municipal code violations. Restricts drone flight within 25 feet of individuals; over private property without consent; over permitted events; within 1,500 feet of any manned or unmanned aircraft; within 200 feet of school facilities; within 100 feet of public buildings or facilities.

Requires drone operators to obtain annual Operating Permit and Identification Number. Reinforces privacy laws prohibiting drones from recording persons or private property where reasonable expectation of privacy exists. Prohibits flying less than 350 feet AGL within airspace overlaying public schools during school hours.

Prohibits operation of drones on Santa Clara County Open Space Authority lands or airspace unless permit granted by the Authority. Exempts emergency response, firefighting, and law enforcement operations.

Prohibits operation of remote controlled aircraft and drones on District lands or water areas except in designated areas or with written permit from the District.

Establishes restrictions on drone no-fly zones and UAS activities within city limits with specific limitations on drone flight and operation.

Prohibits launching, landing, or operating model aircraft or UAS within any park unit in the Orange Coast District including Bolsa Chica, Huntington, Corona del Mar, Crystal Cove, Doheny, San Clemente, and San Onofre State Beaches.

Prohibits use of model aircraft, UAS, or gliders in all Santa Cruz District State Park units except Seacliff State Beach and Sunset State Beach (designated areas only). Exemptions available by written request to District Superintendent.

LAMC § 56.31 - Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Establishes drone operation restrictions within Los Angeles city limits codifying FAA-parallel rules as municipal ordinance.

Park Code § 3.09 - Aircraft Prohibition in Parks

Prohibits launching or landing of aircraft (including drones) in any city park without written permission from Recreation and Park Department.

County Code 9.36.068 - Drone Operations in County Parks

Prohibits drone operations in county parks except in designated compatible areas or with express Director permission.

Municipal Code 10.03.060 - Model Aircraft Prohibition

Prohibits model aircraft and drones in county parks, playgrounds, multi-use paths, recreation centers, and other county facilities.

Municipal Ordinance No. 2017-1047

Restricts drone takeoffs, landings, and operations with specific distance and location requirements.

Municipal Ordinance No. 2017-354

Enforces FAA regulations locally and establishes additional drone flight restrictions.

Ordinance 16-1363 - Drone Operating Requirements

Requires annual operating permits for drone operators and establishes flight restrictions including privacy protections.

Parks and Recreation UAS Regulations

County parks regulations for UAS operations with distance and insurance requirements for commercial use.

Open Space Authority Regulations Section 11.01.01

Prohibits drone operations on Open Space Authority lands without permit.