Flying a drone in California requires compliance with three overlapping layers of rules: FAA federal regulations, California state law, and local ordinances from cities, counties, and land management agencies. Federal rules preempt state law in navigable airspace, but state and local rules govern land access, privacy, and operations below the federal threshold.
Understanding which layer applies to your situation is the first step.
Federal Rules: The Floor
FAA regulations under 14 CFR Part 107 apply everywhere in the United States, including California. These cover airspace authorization, altitude limits, visual line of sight, night operations, and operations over people. No California law can override FAA jurisdiction over navigable airspace.
Key federal requirements that apply in California:
- Part 107 certificate required for any commercial operation
- LAANC authorization required in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and some Class E)
- Maximum altitude 400 ft AGL (or 400 ft above a structure)
- Anti-collision lighting required at night
- Remote ID required for all drones 250g and above
Check airspace classification and LAANC availability for any California location at uas-skycheck.app before flying.
California State Law
California has enacted several drone-specific statutes that add requirements beyond federal rules.
Privacy law (Civil Code 1708.8). California prohibits using a drone to capture images, video, or sound of a person in a location where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, without their consent. This applies even if the drone is operating legally under FAA rules. Violations are civil torts -- the person photographed can sue for damages. This is the most practically significant California drone law for commercial operators.
Wildfire TFRs (Public Utilities Code 396.2). Interfering with firefighting operations by flying a drone near a wildfire is a criminal offense in California, separate from the federal TFR violation. Penalties include fines up to $5,000 and jail time. California takes this seriously -- several operators have been prosecuted.
State prisons and correctional facilities. California Penal Code 4576 prohibits flying drones over state prison grounds without authorization. Violations are a misdemeanor.
Law enforcement use. California Government Code 853.5 and related statutes regulate when law enforcement agencies may use drones, but these do not restrict civilian operations directly.
California State Parks
California State Parks prohibit drone takeoff and landing within park boundaries without a permit. This applies to all 280 California State Parks. The prohibition covers commercial and recreational use.
A filming permit from California State Parks is required for commercial aerial photography. Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Allow 4-6 weeks minimum. Some parks deny all drone permits regardless of purpose.
Note that FAA jurisdiction applies in the airspace above state parks. California cannot prohibit flight in navigable airspace. The prohibition applies to takeoff and landing within park boundaries, not overflights at altitude.
East Bay Regional Parks (EBRPD)
The East Bay Regional Park District, which manages 73 parks across Alameda and Contra Costa counties, prohibits drone use in all district parks without an EBRPD-issued Special Use Permit.
The permit process requires a written application, proof of insurance, and site-specific approval. Commercial operators must also hold a Part 107 certificate. EBRPD evaluates requests based on purpose, location, and potential wildlife or visitor impact.
UAS SkyCheck flags EBRPD zones automatically in the restricted zone layer. If your check returns a permit-required warning in the East Bay, verify whether you are within EBRPD boundaries.
National Parks in California
All National Park Service land prohibits drone takeoff and landing under NPS Management Policies 9.1.5.2. This covers Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Point Reyes, and all other NPS units in California.
The prohibition applies regardless of FAA authorization. You may hold a LAANC authorization for the airspace and still be prohibited from operating by NPS ground rules.
Permits for commercial operations in national parks are sometimes granted for specific projects -- documentaries, scientific research, search and rescue support -- through NPS's Commercial Use Authorization process. Recreational permits are generally not available.
City and County Ordinances
Many California cities have enacted local drone ordinances. These vary significantly.
Los Angeles prohibits drone operations within 25 feet of another person without their consent, and restricts operations over city facilities.
San Francisco restricts drone operations in city parks and over the waterfront without permits.
San Jose and other South Bay cities have ordinances restricting operations near city infrastructure.
Local ordinances change frequently and are not always well-publicized. Before flying in an unfamiliar California city, check with the city's parks department and city attorney office for current rules.
Beaches and Coastal Areas
California State Beaches fall under California State Parks jurisdiction -- the same permit requirements apply. County-operated beaches may have separate county ordinances. Malibu, Santa Monica, and Huntington Beach have all issued drone restrictions at various times.
The California Coastal Commission has no direct drone regulatory authority, but Coastal Development Permits may be required for commercial filming projects that involve significant ground activity in the coastal zone.
Practical Summary
Before any California flight:
- Check FAA airspace and LAANC requirements (UAS SkyCheck covers this)
- Confirm whether the launch and landing site is on state park, national park, EBRPD, or other restricted agency land
- Check for local city or county ordinances
- Review privacy requirements -- do not capture identifiable individuals without consent
- Monitor wildfire TFRs during fire season -- they activate with little notice
California's layered regulatory environment is navigable with preparation. The operators who get cited are almost always the ones who checked only federal rules and assumed that was sufficient.
Check airspace, TFRs, and restricted zones for any California location at uas-skycheck.app. The restricted zone layer covers EBRPD, national parks, and other land management agency boundaries.