California (CA) UAS Law
VISUALIZE IT: See FAA UAS DATA on a MAP
West Hollywood ordinance 16-974
Sept 2017 - Civilian oversight group tells L.A. Sheriff's Department to ground its drone
Town of Los Alamitos—Municipal Ordinance // 2018
This city ordinance created restrictions on drone activity and flight within the Town of Los Alamitos. (Reinforces FAA)
City of Yorba Linda—Municipal Ordinance // 2017
This city ordinance banned flying within 25 feet of another individual, excepting the drone pilot. Enforces FAA Regs.This city ordinance also prohibits takeoffs and landings within 500 feet of a special event or emergency response without a city-issued temporary use permit, and any violation of an FAA temporary flight restriction or notice to airmen.
Town of Calabasas—Municipal Ordinance // 2017
This city ordinance gives local authorities the power to enforce FAA drone-related regulations by making violations of FAA regulations a misdemeanor. This city ordinance also places limits on how close a drone can fly to a school or public event.
City of Hermosa Beach—Ordinance 16-1363 // 2016
This ordinance requires drone operators to obtain an operating permit and identification number given by Hermosa Beach in order to fly. It is also states that drones should not be flown less than 350 feet above a public school.
The National Park Service has banned the use of drones in all Golden Gate National Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Berkeley PROCLAIM BERKELEY A NO DRONE ZONE AND ENACT AN ORDINANCE TO THAT EFFECT (download below)
Adobe Acrobat document [276.9 KB]
Los Angeles Ordinance 183912 - Council File no. 15-0927 - effective December 2, 2015
Drones are now a permanent part of the LAPD's arsenal - Sept 10, 2019
Rancho Mirage Ordinance 5.12.270
Drones in the news
March 2020 - Police in California city consider new ways to use drones during coronavirus outbreak
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Bill History
Where just the name of the bill or resolution is hyperlinked in black that means that it is not yet law!
Note that bills that are now law are changed to blue font
AB 1592 - On September 29, 2016 this was chaptered by the Secretary of State into Chapter 814, Statutes of 2016
AB 1662 vetoed by governor
SJR 18 - This measure would request the President of the United States and the United States Secretary of Transportation to allow for the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems by farmers and rangeland managers pursuant to emergency rules adopted by the administration, as specified.
(Chaptered on 5-20-16 by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 43, Statutes of 2016.)
SB 807 - 2016-09-29 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 834, Statutes of 2016 - Provides immunity for first responders who damage a UAS that was interfering with the first responder while he or she was providing emergency services.
AB 1680 - makes it a misdemeanor to interfere with the activities of first responders during an emergency.
Senate Bill (SB) 142 (download below) - was vetoed by the governor on September 9, 2015
Adobe Acrobat document [91.8 KB]
Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 6 (download below) - to consider California a test site - August 15, 2013
Adobe Acrobat document [93.4 KB]
Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 16 (download below) - to recognize the contributions of the aerospace industry to the history, economy, security, and educational system of California, its communities, an its citizens by proclaiming the month of March 2013 as California Aerospace Month
Adobe Acrobat document [89.1 KB]
California Assembly Bill (CAB) 856 (download below) - to expand liability for physical invasion of privacy to additionally include a person knowingly entering into the airspace above the land of another person without permission.
AB 856 prohibits entering the airspace of an individual in order to capture an image or recording of that individual engaging in a private, personal, or familial activity without permission. This legislation is a response to the use of UAS by the paparazzi.
Adobe Acrobat document [166.7 KB]
Adobe Acrobat document [75.5 KB]
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