California Drone Laws

Prohibits operating a drone to capture visual images, sound recordings, or other impressions of a person engaging in private, personal, or familial activity without consent. Creates both physical invasion (trespassing into airspace) and constructive invasion (using visual/auditory enhancing devices including drones) causes of action. Applies to airspace without requiring the drone to land on property.

Makes it a misdemeanor to willfully remain at the scene of an emergency in a manner that impedes or obstructs firefighters, peace officers, EMS, or other emergency responders. Flying a drone over a wildfire, disaster scene, or active emergency operation directly violates this statute. Enforced aggressively by CalFire during wildfire season.

Prohibits using drones or other devices to view the interior of a bedroom, bathroom, dressing room, or other area where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, with intent to invade privacy. Expressly includes unmanned aircraft systems among covered instrumentalities.

California is a two-party-consent state for confidential audio recordings. Drone microphones capturing private conversations without consent of all parties violates this statute. Separate civil liability under § 637.2.

Provides immunity from civil liability to local public entities and emergency responders for damage to drones or UAS that were interfering with emergency services including firefighting, EMS, search and rescue, and air services related to these operations.

Prohibits knowingly and intentionally operating an unmanned aircraft system on or above the grounds of a state prison, jail, juvenile hall, camp, or ranch. Applies to all UAS operations regardless of purpose.

Prohibits use of any motorized equipment, including drones, within state wilderness areas, cultural preserves, and natural preserves administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. This is a statewide blanket prohibition that applies regardless of posted orders.

Can be cited against drone operators whose flights endanger park visitors, property, or wildlife, even in parks without posted drone-ban orders. Provides enforcement mechanism for unsafe drone operations in state parks.

Prohibits pursuing, driving, herding, or taking any bird or mammal from any motor-driven aircraft including drones. Also bars using drones or earth-orbiting imaging devices to locate or assist in locating big-game mammals beginning 48 hours before and continuing 48 hours after any big-game season.

Prohibits harassing any game or nongame bird or mammal with a drone or other means. Applies statewide to all wildlife.

Prohibits operating any drone on California Department of Fish and Wildlife-administered land except under a Special Use Permit. All recreational and commercial drone operations on CDFW property require advance authorization.

Regulates operation of unmanned pest control aircraft. Requires operators to hold valid manned or unmanned pest control aircraft pilot's certificate issued by the director and be certified/authorized by FAA. Director may refuse, revoke, or suspend certificates for violations of pesticide regulations or FAA commercial operation guidelines.

Codifies FAA-parallel rules within Los Angeles city limits including 400-foot altitude cap, VLOS requirement, daylight-only operation, 5-mile airport notification, and 25-foot standoff from any non-pilot person. Prohibits flying over active public-safety operations (fire, police, rescue). Violations are misdemeanor. Ordinance remains on books though LAPD paused active enforcement in March 2024 pending City Attorney review on federal preemption grounds.

Prohibits launching or landing any airplane, helicopter, parachute, hang glider, hot-air balloon, or 'any other machine or apparatus of aviation' including drones in any San Francisco city park without written permission from the Recreation and Park Department. SF Rec & Park is currently under standing moratorium on recreational drone permits.

Prohibits drone operations in Sacramento County parks except in areas specifically designated for such activities or with express permission of the Director.

Requires all drone pilots operating within Hermosa Beach to secure an annual Operating Permit and Identification Number assigned by the City. Permits are valid for one year and renewable.

Prohibits drones from flying less than 350 feet above ground while capturing images of public schools during school hours. Also restricts drone operation in airspace overlaying civic center complex or city park/beach during scheduled special events.

Prohibits drone operations within 25 feet of another individual; on private property without consent; over publicly permitted events; within 1,500 feet of any manned or unmanned aircraft; within 200 feet of school facilities; or within 100 feet of any public building or facility. Enforces FAA regulations as misdemeanors.

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

Creates restrictions on drone flight and activity within the town, specifying limitations on drone operations within city boundaries.

Bans the operation of all types of motorized or non-motorized model airplanes with or without remote control in all city parks.

Makes it unlawful to operate drones within any Chula Vista City Park or recreation area except in areas specifically designated with signage by the Director of Public Works.

Prohibits motorized drone flight in all Rancho Palos Verdes City Parks and city-owned property except at Point Vicente Park/Civic Center. Operations at Point Vicente require permit from Parks and Recreation Department issued through SCORCH (Southern California Organization of Radio-Controlled Helicopters) with AMA membership requirement.

Makes it unlawful to launch or land any aircraft, including helicopters and drones, without a permit issued by the City Manager or designee.

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

Prohibits use of drones within the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority (both on land and within airspace) unless a permit has been granted. Exempts emergency response, firefighting, and law enforcement.

Prohibits launching or landing drones within any park area or structure, facility, or equipment located within any park area unless a valid permit has been issued by the Director.

Prohibits operation of remote-controlled aircraft on any portion of District Lands or Water Areas unless in Designated Areas or with written permit. Permits currently available only to commercial pilots.

Prohibits use of drones and all motorized vehicles and equipment in all Orange County parks, beaches, and recreational areas.

Prohibits launching, landing, or operating model aircraft or UAS within Orange Coast District park units including Bolsa Chica, Huntington, Corona del Mar, Crystal Cove, Doheny, and San Clemente State Beaches. Exemptions available by request to District Superintendent.

Prohibits use of model aircraft, UAS, or gliders in all Santa Cruz District Park Units except Seacliff State Beach and Sunset State Beach. Exemptions available by request to District Superintendent.

Closes all Inland Empire District park units to use of model aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems.

Prohibits all drone operations inside parks owned and managed by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority unless official permits have been granted by the Executive Officer.

Designates the Port of Los Angeles as a 'No Drone Zone.' Third-parties may apply for drone permits with at least 3 weeks advance notice. Minimum Port Police escort fee of $448 applies at time of flight.

NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 bans drone takeoff, landing, and operation inside all National Park Service unit boundaries including Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Lassen, Redwood, Channel Islands, Pinnacles, and all GGNRA units, Santa Monica Mountains NRA, Point Reyes, Muir Woods, and Cabrillo National Monument. Enforced by park rangers.

Federal TFRs apply to all major California sports stadiums including Dodger Stadium, SoFi, Rose Bowl, Oracle Park, Levi's Stadium, Petco Park, LA Coliseum, and Angel Stadium during MLB, NFL, NCAA Division I football, and major motor-sport events. TFR runs from one hour before through one hour after event, covering 3 nautical miles radius up to 3,000 feet AGL.

Official California Department of Parks and Recreation policy allows drones in State Parks, State Beaches, State Historic Parks, State Recreational Areas, and State Vehicular Recreation Areas except where a District Superintendent has issued a posted order prohibiting them. Most districts currently have posted orders banning drones. Operators must check with specific district before flying.

LAMC § 56.31 — Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Restricts drone operations in Los Angeles city parks and during active public-safety operations. Codifies FAA-parallel rules including 400-foot altitude cap, VLOS requirement, daylight-only operation, 5-mile airport notification, and 25-foot standoff from non-pilot persons.

Park Code § 3.09 — Aviation Equipment Prohibited

Prohibits launching or landing any aviation machine including drones in city parks without written permission from Recreation and Park Department. Standing moratorium on recreational drone permits; only commercial film/photography authorized through SF Film Office.

Municipal Code § 9.38.030-9.38.040 — Drone Permit and Flight Restrictions

Requires annual operating permit and city-assigned identification number for all drone pilots. Prohibits flying less than 350 feet above ground while capturing school images during school hours. Restricts operations over special events.

Municipal Ordinance § 2017-354 — Drone Flight Restrictions

Prohibits drone operations within 25 feet of other individuals, on private property without consent, over public events, within 1,500 feet of manned/unmanned aircraft, within 200 feet of schools, or within 100 feet of public buildings. Treats FAA violations as misdemeanors.

Municipal Ordinance § 2017-1047 — Drone Operation Restrictions

Prohibits takeoff/landing outside VLOS, within 25 feet of other persons, on private property without consent, or within 500 feet of special events/emergency response situations.

Municipal Ordinance — Drone Flight Restrictions

Creates specific restrictions on drone flight and UAS activity within town limits.

Municipal Ordinance § 9.08.150 — Park Drone Ban

Blanket prohibition on motorized and non-motorized model aircraft and drones in all city parks.

Municipal Code § 2.66.180 — Park Drone Restriction

Prohibits drone operation in any city park or recreation area except in areas specifically designated with signage by the Director of Public Works.

Municipal Code § 12.16.040 — Park Drone Restrictions

Prohibits motorized drone flight in all city parks and city-owned property except at Point Vicente Park/Civic Center, which requires SCORCH permit and AMA membership.

Municipal Code § 11.72.010 — Aircraft Permit Required

Requires permit from City Manager or designee to launch or land any aircraft including drones.

County Code § 9.36.068 — Park Drone Prohibition

Prohibits drone operations in Sacramento County parks except in designated areas or with express permission of Director.

Municipal Code § 10.03.060 — Model Aircraft Prohibition

Prohibits self-propelled model airplanes including drones in all county parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, and multi-use paths.

Regulations § 11.01.01 — Drone Prohibition

Prohibits drone use on Open Space Authority property unless permitted. Exempts law enforcement, emergency response, and firefighting.

Parks Ordinance — Drone Launch/Landing Restriction

Prohibits launching or landing drones in any county park area or structure unless permitted by Director.

County Parks UAS Regulations

Allows recreational drone use on county property generally without permit; commercial operations require written permission and proof of insurance; 25-foot separation from other operators; 25-foot standoff from structures and vehicles.

District Regulations § 409.4 — Drone Prohibition

Prohibits remote-controlled aircraft on district land or water unless in designated areas or with written permit. Permits currently available to commercial operators only.

County Parks Policy — Motorized Equipment Prohibition

Prohibits drones and all motorized vehicles and equipment in all county parks, beaches, and recreational areas.

Park Ordinance — Drone Prohibition

Prohibits all drone operations in MRCA parks unless official permit granted by Executive Officer.

Municipal Code § 63.44(B) — No Drone Zone

Designates Port as 'No Drone Zone' with permit option. Third-party permits require 3-week advance notice and minimum $448 Port Police escort fee.