Drone Rules in Daly City, CA (2026)
3 verified drone rules for Daly City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational Drones
Daly City has no standalone municipal drone ordinance. Recreational drone (UAS) operation is governed by FAA 14 CFR Part 107 / Section 44809 (Recreational Flyer rule), with California Penal Code Section 402(b) (interference with emergency personnel) and Civil Code Section 1708.8 (physical and constructive invasion of privacy by aerial means) applying statewide. The Daly City Municipal Code (Title 4 Public Safety, Title 8 Public Peace, Morals and Welfare) does not enumerate a drone-specific section in the Municode TOC for code_of_ordinances; operators are bound by federal airspace rules and state privacy/safety statutes.
Recreational Drones in Daly City: FAA-Preempted, CA Statutes Apply
Some RestrictionsCommercial Drones
All commercial drone operation in Daly City is governed by FAA 14 CFR Part 107, which requires the remote pilot to hold a current Remote Pilot Certificate. The City of Daly City does not issue a separate commercial-drone permit and the Municipal Code (Title 5 Business Licenses and Regulations) does not enumerate a UAS-specific license category. Operators conducting business in Daly City must hold a Daly City business license under Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 5.04, even though the drone operation itself is federally regulated.
Commercial Drone Operations in Daly City: Part 107 Required, No Local Permit
Some RestrictionsPark Drone Restrictions
Daly City Municipal Code Title 8 (Public Peace, Morals and Welfare) does not enumerate a drone-specific park-takeoff ordinance, but Daly City Parks and Recreation rules prohibit activities that interfere with park use or pose a hazard. Adjacent National Park Service lands (Golden Gate National Recreation Area - Fort Funston, Mussel Rock-adjacent GGNRA parcels, Sweeney Ridge) prohibit launching, landing, or operating drones under 36 CFR Section 1.5 / NPS Director's Policy Memorandum 14-05. California State Parks (Thornton State Beach) similarly prohibit UAS without a permit under 14 CCR Section 4322.
Drones in Daly City Parks and Adjacent GGNRA Lands
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for San Mateo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Daly City city rules.
Drone Rules in San Mateo County →