California State Parks law to fly a drone
Drones are currently permitted in California state parks, state beaches, state historic parks, state recreation areas, and state vehicular recreation areas.
However, district superintendents have the discretion to restrict drone operations based on public safety, recreational conflicts, protection of threatened species and cultural and natural resources, impact on visitor privacy, and park unit classification.
can you fly a drone over private property
Drone operators are encouraged to check with the local State Park District for any specific posted orders on the use of drones.state highway system: Can you fly a drone over a highway in California?
Drone operation on the California State Highway System (SHS) is prohibited unless a Caltrans encroachment permit has been granted.This rule applies to recreational and commercial drone operations. Note that SHS includes state highways, interstate roads, shoulders, wet station berms and islands, vista points, and rest areas.
Senate Bill 807 (2016)
The act makes it a misdemeanor offense for pilots who fly drones that interfere with or disrupt the work of emergency workers, firefighters, police officers, or military personnel.
Assembly Bill No. 856 (2015)
The act amends Civil Code section 1708.8 to include UAV activities related to privacy.Drone pilots are prohibited from entering a person's airspace and using their drone to take pictures without their consent. It also extends to capturing images, videos, or sound recordings of people engaged in personal or private activities without their consent. A person who violates this prohibition may be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000.
California Code of Regulations Title 14 Sec. 4351
The use of motorized vehicles or equipment within any state wilderness, cultural preserve, or natural preserve within the California State Park System is prohibited unless approved by the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis based on staff recommendations.UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in California
Drone operation in the State of California is broadly governed by The Federal USA agency responsible for drone safety, the FAA. Click here for details on FAA USA Drone Laws.
Specific additional drone use laws by the California state legislature
Assembly Bill No. 856 (2015)
No drone pilot may enter a person's airspace to take photographs without consent. Nor may they take photographs or record videos of persons engaged in personal, private, or family activities without their consent. The law appeared to be a direct response to local authorities regarding the press's invasion of public figures and celebrities.
Chapter 4.5. unmanned aircraft [853 - 853.5]
A local public entity or public employee of a local public entity shall not be liable for any damage to the unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system if the damage was caused while the local public entity or public employee of the local public entity was providing, and the unmanned aircraft or the unmanned aircraft system was interfering with the operation of, supporting, or enabling any of the following emergency services:
(a) emergency medical services or ambulance transport services, including but not limited to air ambulance services.
(b) fire fighting or fire-related services, including, but not limited to, air services relating to fire fighting or fire-related services.
(c) search and rescue services including, but not limited to, aerial search and rescue services.
PART 2. PERSONAL RIGHTS [43 - 53.7]
An emergency responder shall not be liable for any damage to the unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system if the damage occurred while the emergency responder was providing, and was interfering with, supporting, or enabling the unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system operation Emergency services listed in section 853 of the Government Code.
Chapter 3. Unauthorized Communications with Prisons and Prisoners [4570 - 4577]
(a) Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), and (d), a person who knowingly and willfully operates an unmanned aircraft system on the grounds of a State prison, jail, juvenile hall, camp, or The farm is guilty of a violation, punishable by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500).
UAS in State Parks
Drones are currently permitted in state parks, state beaches, state historic parks, state recreation areas, and state vehicular recreation areas, except where prohibited by a posted order from the district superintendent. Posted orders may restrict drones for several reasons, including the protection of threatened species; threats to cultural and natural resources; high fire hazard; public security; Entertaining Conflict; impact on visitor experience privacy; and park unit classification. Therefore, drone users should always check with their local state park district for any specific post orders.
Drones in State Wilderness Areas, Natural Conservation, and Cultural Conservation:
State park regulations prohibit the use of motorized equipment (including UAS) within wilderness areas, cultural preserves, and natural preserves (Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 4351), therefore, drone users must always register with a park entity designation should be checked. before flying the drone
Additional UAV laws specific to local governments within the State of California
Calabasas City Municipal Ordinance 2017-354
This city ordinance allows local officials to enforce rules and regulations related to FAA UAS drones. Officials treat any FAA violation as a misdemeanor. The ordinance also stipulates the closest distance drones can fly over public events and school facilities without prior consent.
City of Hermosa Beach Ordinance 16-1363 (2016)
The city council introduced the then-adopted Ordinance 16-1363 on April 26, 2016. It imposes specific restrictions on the operation of model aircraft, drones, and other unmanned aerial systems. In addition, remote pilots must obtain an annual permit to fly. This city ordinance exists to protect the safety of residents.
City of La Mesa Municipal Ordinance 9.08.150 (2005)
Malibu City | drone filming permission
Most of Malibu's national park airspace falls under no-fly zone restrictions. However, there are some exceptions for commercial filming purposes except on Sundays. Drone operators must apply for a City Filming Permit. You can see more about film permit requirements here.
Yorba City Linda Municipal Ordinance (2017)
This city ordinance states that no drone operator shall attempt to take off or land outside the pilot's line of sight (VLOS). Takeoff and landing must not occur within 25 feet of other persons unless that person is designated by the pilot. In addition, a recreational or commercial drone pilot may not operate from private property with the consent of the owner (it should not be 'without').
The same municipal ordinance prohibits drone takeoff, landing, and flight control within 500 feet of special events and emergency response operations. The only exceptions are if the pilot has an official, city-issued permit for temporary use.
Los Alamitos Municipal Ordinance (2018)
The local ordinance for the City of Los Alamitos sets forth specific restrictions regarding the drone no-fly zone
