CA – California
This iconic view of Yosemite Falls, a major attraction in Yosemite National Park in California, shows both the upper and lower falls. The falls come from Yosemite Creek, rushing in the spring from snow melt.
Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook
California government website just for reference.
California Legislature in case more laws were written since this book was published.
Last updated on February 28, 2025
Airspace
In addition to checking the FAA UAS Facility Map or B4UFLY or SkyVector or Google Maps one should consider also FAA JO 7400.10F – Special Use Airspace which is an order, published yearly, providing a listing of all regulatory and non-regulatory special use airspace areas, as well as issued but not yet implemented amendments to those areas established by the FAA.
Special Use Airspace consists of airspace of defined dimensions identified by an area on the surface of the earth wherein activities must be confined because of their nature, or wherein limitations are imposed upon aircraft operations that are not a part of those activities, or both. The vertical limits of special use airspace are measured by designated altitude floors and ceilings expressed as flight levels or as feet above MSL. Unless otherwise specified, the word “to” (an altitude or flight level) means “to and including” (that altitude or flight level). The horizontal limits of special use airspace are measured by boundaries described by geographic coordinates or other appropriate references that clearly define their perimeter. The period of time during which a designation of special use airspace is in effect is stated in the designation. All bearings and radials in this part are true from point of origin. Unless otherwise specified, all mileages in this part are stated as statute miles.
Restricted Areas: No person may operate an aircraft within a restricted area between the designated altitudes and during the time of designation, unless they have the advance permission of:
(a) The using agency described in § 73.15; or
(b) The controlling agency described in § 73.17.
These using agencies may be the agency, organization, or military command whose activity within a restricted area necessitated the area being so designated. Upon the request of the FAA, the using agency shall execute a letter establishing procedures for joint use of a restricted area by the using agency and the controlling agency, under which the using agency would notify the controlling agency whenever the controlling agency may grant permission for transit through the restricted area in accordance with the terms of the letter. The using agency shall:
(1) Schedule activities within the restricted area;
(2) Authorize transit through, or flight within, the restricted area as feasible; and
(3) Contain within the restricted area all activities conducted therein in accordance with the purpose for which it was designated.
For the purposes of this part, the controlling agency is the FAA facility that may authorize transit through or flight within a restricted area in accordance with a joint-use letter issued under § 73.15.
Prohibited Areas: No person may operate an aircraft within a prohibited area unless authorization has been granted by the using agency. For the purpose of this subpart, the using agency is the agency, organization or military command that established the requirements for the prohibited area.
Military Operations Areas: A Military Operations Area (MOA) is airspace established outside of Class A airspace to separate/segregate certain nonhazardous military activities from IFR traffic and to identify for VFR traffic where these activities are conducted. Activities. MOA’s are established to contain certain military activities such as air combat maneuvers, air intercepts, acrobatics, etc.
Alert Areas: Airspace which may contain a high volume of pilot training activities or an unusual type of aerial activity, neither of which is hazardous to aircraft.
Warning Areas: A non regulatory warning area is airspace of defined dimensions designated over international waters that contains activity which may be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft. The purpose of such warning areas is to warn nonparticipating pilots of the potential danger. Activities may be hazardous.
National Security Areas: A national security area (NSA) consists of airspace of defined vertical and lateral dimensions established at locations where there is a requirement for increased security of ground facilities. The purpose of such national security areas is to request pilot cooperation by voluntarily avoiding flight through the NSA. When circumstances dictate a need for a greater level of security, flight in an NSA may be temporarily prohibited by regulation under the provisions of 14 CFR Section 99.7, Special Security Instructions. Such prohibitions will be issued by FAA Headquarters and disseminated via the US NOTAM System.
Crewed Aircraft in your Airspace
CREWED AIRCRAFT
CADOT
Start by checking
California State Drone Statutes
Civil Code – 43.101 Division 1 – Persons Part 2 – Personal Rights
Food and Agricultural Code – 11901 Division 6 – Pest Control Operations Chapter 5 – Aircraft Operation Regulation
Government Code – 853 Title 1 – General Division 3.6 – Claims and actions against public entities and public employees
Part 2 – Liability of public entities and public employees Chapter 4.5 – Unmanned Aircraft
Government Code – 853.5 Title 1 – General Division 3.6 – Claims and actions against public entities and public employees Part 2 – Liability of public entities and public employees Chapter 4.5 – Unmanned Aircraft
Civil Code 1708.8 DIVISION 3. OBLIGATIONS PART 3. OBLIGATIONS IMPOSED BY LAW
Penal Code – 402 Part 1 – Of crimes and punishments Title 10 – Of crimes against the public health and safety
Penal Code – 647 Part 1 – Of crimes and punishments Title 15 – Miscellaneous crimes Chapter 2 – Of other and miscellaneous offenses
Penal Code – 4577 Title 5 – Offenses relating to prisons and prisoners Chapter 3 – Unauthorized Communications with Prisons and Prisoners
Local Ordinances and Policies
Adelanto
17.80.101 Cannabis Transportation.
Alhambra
§ 14.04.030 UNLAWFUL ACTS IN PARKS OR PUBLIC GROUNDS.
Anaheim
6.43.020 OPERATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT AND UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills Section 5-6-604 Prohibition against using an UA to record or transmit visual or audio recordings
Brea City
§ 12.00.050 PROHIBITED CONDUCT GENERALLY.
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Unmanned Aircraft System (Drones) in State Parks
California Film Commission
California State Parks
California State Parks – Santa Cruz District UAS Rules
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary UAS Rules
Chula Vista
Chula Vista Municipal Code 2.66.180 Operation of Model airplanes and certain other vehicles prohibited
2023 – Chula Vista police address use of drones involving medical facilities
City of Calabasas
City of Calabasas Municipal Code 9.10 Drones and UAS
City of Los Angeles
City of Los Angeles Municipal Code 56.31 – UAS
City of Malibu
City of Malibu Filming Permit issued in accordance with Malibu Municipal Code Chapter 5.20
City of Santa Clara
Chapter 8.60 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
City of Santa Clara Police Department UAS Deployment Summary
Culver City
Daly City
Daly City Municipal Code 12.36.050 – Prohibited acts
Danville
Eureka
Fullerton
3.80.020 Permits, Applications and exemptions.
Greater Farallones Marine Sanctuary
Greater Farallones Marine Sanctuary UAS Rules
Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach Municipal Code 9.38 – Drones, UA, and Model Aircraft
Indio
CHAPTER 105: DRONE REGULATIONS
La Mesa
La Mesa Municipal Code 9.08.150 – Model aircraft prohibited
Livingston
Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos Municipal Code 8.52 – UAS
Los Angeles
SEC. 56.31. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.
Marin County
Marin County Code 10.03.060 – Miscellaneous activities.
Menifee
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Lands
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Lands – ORDINANCE FOR USE OF MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT LANDS – 409.4 Model Craft
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Resource Issues: Aircraft, Model Aircraft, & Drones
National Park Service – Golden Gate
National Park Service – Golden Gate – No Drone Zone
Orange County Parks
Orange County Parks – Park Rules
Oxnard
SEC. 7-301. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.
Palo Alto
Pismo Beach
12.20.080 Beach safety zone—Aircraft prohibited.
12.20.110 Beach safety zone—Exceptions.
Port of Los Angeles
Port of Los Angeles UAS Permits
Rancho Mirage
Rancho Mirage Municipal Code 5.12.270 Prohibited acts.
Reedley
Sacramento County
Sacramento County Code 9.36.068 Games.
10.34.030 Relevant circumstances to prove a violation.
San Benito County
§ 7.02.130 OPERATING REQUIREMENTS FOR OUT OF COUNTY DELIVERY SERVICES.
§ 25.08.020 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS SHIPPING/DELIVERY SERVICES.
San Diego County
San Diego County Code 32 CHAPTER 16. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
San Diego County Code 41 SEC. 41.130. WALKWAYS, BICYCLES, WHEELED AND MOTORIZED DEVICES.
San Diego UAS Integration Pilot Program Guide
San Francisco
San Francisco City Code 3.09 – Airplanes, Helicopters, Hot Air Balloons, Etc. Prohibited
SEC. 19B.2. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVAL OF SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY POLICY.
SEC. 96I.2. IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
SEC. 1622. DELIVERIES OF CANNABIS AND CANNABIS PRODUCTS TO CUSTOMERS.
SEC. 1626. CANNABIS DISTRIBUTORS.
San Marino
11.08.09: UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
17.02.03: PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
Santa Clara County
CHAPTER X. – UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and Drones
Access and Use Regulations see list below
11.01.01 Regulation of Model Aircraft and Drones
11.01.02 Prohibited Conduct
11.01.03 Exceptions
11.01.04 Permits to Land, Launch or Operate UAS
Santa Paula
West Hollywood Film Commission
West Hollywood Film Commission
Yorba Linda
University Drone Policies
California Polytechnic State University
California State University- Northridge
University of Southern California
Note: This list is just a sample… many more could be added.
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Regulations & Policies
2023 – Nevada County Transportation Commission – Aviation Reports – AAM
2023 – SB 800 – Advanced Air Mobility and Aviation Electrification Committee – enacted 21208 – to set up an AAM, Zero-Emission, Electrification Aviation advisory panel. The report is due to the Legislature by January 1, 2025.
2022 – Caltrans AAM Digitization
2021 – LA DOT UAM Policy –grounded in the values and goals outlined in the LADOT Strategic Plan Update 2021-2023, the Urban Mobility in a Digital Age Strategic Plan, and the Principles of the Urban Sky.
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) News
2024 – Supernal aims to launch flying cars at 2028 LA Olympics
2024 – Supernal aiming to be “first to scale” with S-A2 eVTOL
2024 – Archer Aviation Unveils Vision For Air Mobility Network In Los Angeles
2024 – Archer maps out air taxi network around Los Angeles, California
2024 – California grants approval for Archer to expand power-train facilities
2024 – California authority supports Archer’s electric powertrain facility
2024 – Archer, Southwest Airlines to develop air taxi network in California
2024 – Southwest Airlines And Archer Aviation Partner On Electric Air Taxi Service In California
2024 – Joby shares eVTOL air taxi rollout plans
2024 – Archer, Kilroy Building Electric Air Taxi Network in Bay Area
2024 – Supernal researchers investigate UAM route planning in the high-density airspace of Los Angeles
2024 – Clay Lacy Aviation and Overair partner to introduce AAM to Southern California
2024 – Los Angeles Airport issues RFIC to industry for vertiport development in three potential sites
2024 – Joby and Clay Lacy partner to bring first electric air taxi charger to Southern California
2023 – Joby Receives CalCompetes Grant to Support California Facility Expansion and 690 New Jobs
2023 – Vertiport site-suitability analysis aims to aid planners
2023 – Supernal Opens Engineering Headquarters in Irvine
2023 – Land Use Analysis on Vertiports Based on a Case Study of the San Francisco Bay Area
Urban Movement Labs – AAM partnership – 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – collaboration between the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), and Urban Movement Labs – engaging conversations with residents across the city to ensure community voices are shaping our plans for the future.
Short Essay Questions
Question 1
You have been hired by a Drone Startup Company. Your boss has immediately assigned this job to you.
They need you to prepare a one-page memo detailing the legalities of filming a wedding near Yosemite Falls, pictured above.
They need you to mention any state laws and local ordinances.
They specifically want to know what airspace (insert pictures) you will be operating in, and whether or not you need an airspace authorization, with or without LAANC capability.
Lastly, there is a bonus for you if, as you scroll through this chapter, you find any typos or broken links!
Question 2
Do the state drone laws implicate the First Amendment? If so, describe, citing the exact law.
Question 3
Do the state drone laws implicate the Fourth Amendment? Or involve law enforcement officers obtaining warrants? If so, describe, citing the exact law.
Question 4
Do the state drone laws contain a preemption clause? If so, describe, citing the exact law.
Question 5
Does the state have UAM/AAM laws? If so, describe, citing the exact law.
Question 6
Are you aware of any new laws or policies not mentioned above? If so, describe, citing the exact law or policy.
