Drone Regulations in California: 2025 Rules & Requirements

Drone operators in California must comply with all FAA regulations and state laws restricting flights over private property, emergency scenes, prisons, and schools. Local ordinances may add further restrictions. Commercial operators need an FAA Part 107 certificate; recreational flyers must pass the TRUST test.

Quick Answer: What Are California's Drone Rules?

California drone law includes federal, state, and local rules. The FAA controls airspace, while California adds criminal, civil, and administrative restrictions.

Federal baseline (applies to all California operators):

• Drones over 0.55 lbs must be registered with the FAA (14 CFR Parts 47, 89).
• Commercial operators must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR Part 107).
• Recreational flyers must pass the free TRUST test (FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, codified at 49 U.S.C. § 44809).
• Remote ID compliance is required (14 CFR Part 89).

California state layer (applies on top of federal rules):

• Privacy restrictions on drone surveillance of private property (California Civil Code § 1708.8).
• Criminal prohibition on interfering with emergency response (California Penal Code § 402).
• Drone bans over state prisons (California Penal Code § 4577) and school grounds (California Penal Code § 626.8).
• State and local agencies control access to specific properties under California Public Utilities Code § 21113.

Local layer:

City and county ordinances may add permit requirements, flight hour restrictions, or outright bans in specific zones. Check with the relevant city or county before flying.

Recreational vs. Commercial: At-a-Glance Checklist

California State Drone Statutes You Must Know

California Civil Code § 1708.8: Physical Invasion of Privacy

Under Civil Code § 1708.8, using a drone to capture images, video, or audio of a person who has a reasonable expectation of privacy constitutes a physical invasion of privacy, even if the drone does not cross a property line. A plaintiff can recover actual damages, punitive damages, and a civil penalty. The legislature has amended this section; verify the current penalty cap in the statutory text.

California Penal Code § 402: Interference with Emergency Response

Flying a drone over an active emergency scene in a way that interferes with first responders is a misdemeanor under Penal Code § 402.

Proposed Penal Code §§ 402.5 and 402.6 (SB 260, 2025-2026 Session)

SB 260 would add two new drone-specific offenses to the Penal Code for interference with emergency response operations. As of March 2026, SB 260 is in the Assembly and has not been enacted. Monitor the CA Legislative Information site (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) for status changes.

California Penal Code § 626.8: School Grounds

Existing law prohibits disruptive conduct on school grounds. SB 260 proposes to add drone-specific restrictions, but these amendments are not yet law.

California Penal Code § 4577: Drones Over State Prisons

Penal Code § 4577 prohibits operating a drone over or near a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facility. SB 260 proposes amendments, but the core prohibition is already in effect.

Proposed Civil Code § 1708.83 (AB 426, 2025-2026 Session)

AB 426 would create a new civil cause of action for impeding emergency response with a drone. As of March 2026, AB 426 is held in committee and is not current law. If enacted, it would give injured parties a direct civil remedy separate from the criminal exposure under Penal Code § 402.

California Government Code §§ 14718 et seq. (AB 740, 2023-2024 Session)

AB 740, which would have added drone cybersecurity procurement requirements for state agencies, failed to pass and is not law.

California Health and Safety Code § 11351.7 (AB 955, 2023-2024 Session)

AB 955, which would have created a specific offense for using a drone to deliver controlled substances, failed to pass. Existing controlled substance laws still apply to drone-assisted delivery.

California Public Utilities Code § 21113

This section grants state and local agencies authority to restrict aircraft operations, including drones, over property they control. It is the legal basis for many state and local drone restrictions, such as those in state parks.

What Changed Recently: 2024-2025 California Drone Legislation

SB 260 (2025-2026 Session): Status — Held at Desk

SB 260 is a significant pending California drone bill. Its scope covers:

• Insurance Code § 2036 (proposed): Would require drone operators to carry liability insurance. Consult the bill text for specific coverage amounts if it advances.
• Penal Code §§ 402.5 and 402.6 (proposed): Drone-specific criminal offenses for emergency interference.
• Penal Code § 626.8 (amendment): School-grounds drone restrictions.
• Penal Code § 4577 (amendment): Expanded prison drone prohibitions.

Current status as of March 17, 2026: In Assembly, read first time, held at desk (OpenStates, SB 260, 2025-2026, updated 2026-03-17). This status means the bill has not been enacted but could still be considered.

AB 426 (2025-2026 Session): Status — Held Under Submission

AB 426 would add Civil Code § 1708.83, creating a civil cause of action for drone interference with emergency response. Current status as of March 17, 2026: in committee, held under submission (OpenStates, AB 426, 2025-2026, updated 2026-03-17). It is not law.

AB 740 (2023-2024 Session): Failed

This bill proposed drone cybersecurity procurement rules for state agencies. It was filed with the Chief Clerk and did not pass.

AB 955 (2023-2024 Session): Failed

This bill proposed a specific offense for drone delivery of controlled substances. It was filed with the Chief Clerk and did not pass.

FAA Remote ID: Federal Enforcement Active

The FAA's Remote ID rule (14 CFR Part 89) is under active enforcement. Every California operator of a drone over 0.55 lbs must either fly a Remote ID-equipped drone or operate within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). This is federal law. Non-compliance can result in FAA civil penalties.

Bills described as "held at desk" or "held under submission" are not law. Do not base compliance on proposed legislation. Use CA Legislative Information email alerts to track bill status.

No-Fly Zones and Restricted Airspace in California

FAA Controlled Airspace

Class B airspace surrounds LAX, SFO, and SAN. Class C and Class D airspace covers dozens of regional airports. Operating in any controlled airspace without authorization violates federal law. Get authorization through:

• LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability): Automated, near-instant approval for operations within pre-approved altitude grids.
• FAA DroneZone: For operations LAANC cannot cover or for waiver requests outside standard Part 107 rules.

Wildfire Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)

Operating a drone during a wildfire creates a high risk of violating a federal Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) under 14 CFR § 91.137 and California Penal Code § 402 if the drone interferes with aerial firefighting. The FAA issues emergency TFRs over California fires with little notice. Check FAA B4UFLY or Aloft before every flight.

State Prisons

California Penal Code § 4577 prohibits drone operations over California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities. There is no authorization process for civilian drone flights over state prisons.

School Grounds

California Penal Code § 626.8 restricts certain conduct on school grounds. Avoid flying over K-12 campuses without explicit authorization from school administration.

State Parks

California State Parks restricts drone use under administrative policy, with authority from California Public Utilities Code § 21113. Commercial filming requires a permit from the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). Recreational drone flying is generally prohibited without specific park authorization. Contact the DPR filming permit office for current requirements.

National Parks

Every national park in California, including Yosemite and Joshua Tree, prohibits drone launch, landing, and operation under 36 CFR § 1.5. There is no general public waiver for drone flights in national parks.

Military Installations

Federal restricted and prohibited airspace surrounds military installations like Edwards Air Force Base and Naval Air Station North Island. Check sectional charts or FAA B4UFLY for exact boundaries.

Emergency Response Scenes

California Penal Code § 402 prohibits drone interference with emergency response. If AB 426 is enacted, Civil Code § 1708.83 would add civil liability. Treat any active emergency scene as a no-fly zone.

Permit Fees, Timelines, and Requirements Comparison

Fee verification notes:

• The $5 FAA registration fee and $175 Part 107 exam fee are subject to change. Verify current costs with the FAA and the testing center, respectively.
• California State Parks permit fees vary by location and use. Contact DPR's filming permit office for a quote.
• Local permit fees vary widely. Contact the relevant city or county film office.

SB 260 insurance note: If SB 260 is enacted, Insurance Code § 2036 would impose a liability insurance requirement. If the bill advances, consult the enrolled text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov for the specific coverage amount.

Privacy, Liability, and Enforcement in California

Civil Code § 1708.8: The Primary Privacy Statute

California Civil Code § 1708.8 creates civil exposure for drone operators. Using a drone to capture images or video of a person in a private setting can constitute a physical invasion of privacy, even if the drone is in public airspace. Plaintiffs can recover:

• Actual damages
• Punitive damages
• A civil penalty per violation (verify current amount in statutory text)

The statute also covers constructive invasion of privacy, where a drone captures content that could not have been captured without trespass.

Proposed Civil Code § 1708.83 (AB 426)

If AB 426 passes, a new civil cause of action would allow individuals harmed by drone interference with emergency response to sue the operator. As of March 2026, this is not law.

Penal Code § 647(j): Criminal Invasion of Privacy

Using a drone to view or record a person in a private area without consent can constitute criminal invasion of privacy under California Penal Code § 647(j), a misdemeanor.

Penal Code § 402: Criminal Interference with Emergency Response

This existing misdemeanor may be expanded by SB 260, which proposes to add drone-specific felony and misdemeanor tiers through §§ 402.5 and 402.6. Those sections are not yet enacted.

CCPA Considerations

If a commercial drone operation captures identifiable data about individuals, the California Consumer Privacy Act (California Civil Code §§ 1798.100 et seq.) may apply. This applies primarily to commercial operations involving mapping, inspection, or other data collection. Consult legal counsel on CCPA obligations.

FAA Enforcement

The FAA