California Drone Laws (2026): State Rules, Local Ordinances & FAA

Prohibits physically trespassing onto property or using a drone or other visual-enhancing device to capture images, recordings, or impressions of a person engaging in private, personal, or familial activity without consent. Creates civil liability for invasion of privacy.

Makes it a misdemeanor to willfully impede or interfere with firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency medical services. Drone flights over active fire scenes, police operations, or rescue efforts fall under this statute.

Expressly names unmanned aircraft systems among covered devices for criminal invasion of privacy. Prohibits using a UAS to view the interior of a bedroom, bathroom, dressing room, or other area with reasonable expectation of privacy with intent to invade that privacy.

California is a two-party-consent state. A drone equipped with a microphone that captures a private conversation without consent of all parties violates this statute.

Makes it illegal to knowingly and intentionally operate an unmanned aircraft system on or above the grounds of any state prison, jail, or juvenile detention facility.

Statewide prohibition on motorized equipment, including drones, within state park wilderness areas, cultural preserves, and natural preserves. This ban applies regardless of district superintendent posted orders.

Authorizes state park rangers to cite drone operators whose flight endangers other park visitors, property, or wildlife, even in parks without explicit posted drone bans.

Prohibits pursuing, driving, herding, or taking any bird or mammal from any motor-driven aircraft. Also prohibits using drones, hot-air balloons, 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 hunting season.

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

Prohibits operating any drone on CDFW-administered land except under a Special Use Permit issued by CDFW.

Provides immunity for local public entities and emergency responders from liability for damage to a drone or UAS if the damage occurred while providing emergency medical services, firefighting, search and rescue, or other covered emergency services and the UAS was interfering with those services.

Provides immunity for first responders who damage a UAS that was interfering with the first responder while providing emergency services.

Amends Penal Code § 402 to expressly include UAS activities as criminal interference with emergency services including firefighting, police, military personnel, and emergency medical services.

Requires any person operating an unmanned aircraft system for pest control to hold a valid unmanned pest control aircraft pilot certificate issued by the Director of Pesticide Regulation and be certified by the FAA. Certificate status includes journeyman, apprentice, or vector control technician.

Prohibits law enforcement from photographing crime scenes (including via drone) without a valid reason. Any use of drones by first responders to photograph crime scenes must be justified and documented.

Los Angeles Municipal Code § 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, visual line-of-sight requirement, daylight-only operation, and 25-foot standoff from any non-operator persons.

San Francisco Park Code § 3.09 - Aviation Equipment Prohibited

Prohibits launching, landing, or operating any airplane, helicopter, hot-air balloon, parachute, hang glider, or other aviation apparatus (including drones) in any city park without written permission from the Recreation and Park Department.

San Diego Parks & Recreation - UAS Authorization

San Diego city has no standalone drone ordinance but requires authorization from Parks & Recreation for commercial and some recreational flights on city property. County of San Diego offers more permissive process.

Hermosa Beach Municipal Code § 9.38.030 - UAS Operating Permit

Requires all drone operators to obtain an annual operating permit and identification number assigned by the city. Reinforces privacy laws prohibiting recording without consent. Imposes altitude and proximity restrictions near schools and civic centers.

Calabasas Municipal Ordinance § 2017-354

Empowers local authorities to enforce FAA drone regulations as misdemeanor violations. Establishes specific proximity restrictions to schools and public events.

Yorba Linda Municipal Ordinance § 2017-1047

Restricts takeoff, landing, and operation of drones outside the pilot's visual line of sight. Establishes 25-foot buffer from other persons and prohibition on private property without owner consent. Bars operation within 500 feet of special events or emergency response situations.

Los Alamitos Municipal Ordinance

Establishes restrictions on drone flight and activity within town boundaries to maintain public safety and prevent interference with emergency response.

La Mesa Municipal Ordinance § 9.08.150

Strict ban on all motorized and non-motorized model aircraft and drones in all city parks.

Chula Vista Municipal Code § 2.66.180

Prohibits operating drones in any Chula Vista city park or recreation area except in areas specifically designated with signage by the Director of Public Works.

Malibu Drone Filming Permit Requirements

Requires commercial drone filming permits with 7-day advance notice. Most of Malibu's airspace falls under no-fly zones; exceptions granted for approved commercial filming.

Sacramento County Code § 9.36.068

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

Marin County Municipal Code § 10.03.060

Prohibits self-propelled model airplanes and drones in all county parks, playgrounds, bicycle paths, recreation centers, and other county recreational facilities.

Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority - Regulations § 11.01.01

Prohibits drone operations on Santa Clara County Open Space Authority land and within its airspace unless a permit has been granted. Exception for emergency response and law enforcement.

Santa Cruz District - State Parks Superintendent Order No. 715-001-17 (2017)

Prohibits model aircraft and UAS in all Santa Cruz District state park units, with limited exceptions for specific beach areas and permitted special events.

Orange County District - State Parks Superintendent Order PO 925-19-32 (2019)

Prohibits launching, landing, or operating model aircraft or UAS within any park unit in the Orange Coast District.

Inland Empire District - State Parks Superintendent Order No. 950-19-022

Prohibits model aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems in all Inland Empire District state park units.

Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code § 12.16.040

Prohibits motorized drone flight in all city parks except Point Vicente Park/Civic Center. Flights at Point Vicente require SCORCH (Southern California Organization of Radio-Controlled Helicopters) permit and AMA membership.

Pacific Grove Municipal Code § 11.72.010

Requires a permit issued by the City Manager or designee for any aircraft launch or landing, including drones.

Port of Los Angeles - No Drone Zone (Municipal Code § 63.44)

Designated as a 'No Drone Zone.' Third parties may apply for drone permits with strict requirements.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary - Aircraft Policy

Prohibits motorized aircraft operations, including drones, below 1,000 feet altitude over sanctuary waters without prior authorization.

Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary - Overflight Policy

Prohibits motorized aircraft, including drones, below 1,000 feet altitude over sanctuary waters. Failure to maintain altitude is considered disturbance to marine mammals or seabirds.

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary - Overflight Policy

Prohibits motorized aircraft operations within one nautical mile of any island at altitudes below 1,000 feet above ground level.

MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District - Regulations § 409.4

Prohibits remote-controlled aircraft operation on MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District lands and water areas except in designated areas or with written permit.

Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority - Park Ordinance (2018)

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.