Drone Rules in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
4 verified drone rules for Los Angeles, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational Drones
Recreational drones (Model Aircraft) in Los Angeles must stay within the operator's unaided visual line of sight, below 400 feet AGL, and operate only during daylight hours. Flying within 5 miles of any airport requires prior authorization from the airport air traffic control tower.
Drones: Recreational Drones
Significant RestrictionsLAMC § 56.31
SEC. 56.31. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. (Added by Ord. No. 183,912, Eff. 12/2/15.) (b) The following shall apply to the operation of any Model Aircraft within the City of Los Angeles: 1. No Person shall operate any Model Aircraft within the City of Los Angeles and within 5 miles of an airport without the prior express authorization of the airport air traffic control tower. 2. No Person shall ope...
Commercial Drones
Los Angeles regulates commercial drone use under LAMC § 56.31, which defines any drone flown for business, commercial, or media purposes as a "Civil UAS." Civil UAS operators must follow FAA regulations, honor temporary flight restrictions and NOTAMs, and never fly carelessly or recklessly: the standard the city borrows from federal aeronautics law to police business drone flights citywide.
Los Angeles Rules for Commercial Drone Flights
Some RestrictionsLos Angeles Municipal Code § 56.31(a)(5), (c)
5. "Civil UAS" shall mean an Uncrewed Aircraft or Uncrewed Aircraft System operated by any Person for any purposes other than strictly hobby or recreational purposes, including, but not limited to, commercial purposes or in furtherance of, or incidental to, any business or media service or agency. ... (c) The following shall apply to the operation of any Model Aircraft or Civil UAS within the C...
Airport Proximity Rules
Los Angeles bars flying a recreational drone within 5 miles of any airport unless the airport's own air traffic control tower gives prior express authorization. LAMC § 56.31(b)(1) applies citywide and covers the approach paths of LAX, Hollywood Burbank, Van Nuys, Santa Monica, and Whiteman airports, so most of the city sits inside a five-mile buffer requiring ATC sign-off before takeoff.
Los Angeles Drone Ban Within 5 Miles of Airports
Significant RestrictionsLos Angeles Municipal Code § 56.31(b)(1), (d)
(b) The following shall apply to the operation of any Model Aircraft within the City of Los Angeles: 1. No Person shall operate any Model Aircraft within the City of Los Angeles and within 5 miles of an airport without the prior express authorization of the airport air traffic control tower. ... (d) It shall be unlawful for any Person to violate or fail to comply with this section. Any Person v...
Event Drone Restrictions
Los Angeles bans flying a drone within 25 feet of any person other than the operator or the operator's helper: a rule that applies at concerts, parades, festivals, and any other public gathering citywide. LAMC § 56.31(b)(6) exempts only takeoff and landing, and violators face misdemeanor charges under the citywide penalty section, LAMC § 11.00(m).
Los Angeles Drone No-Fly Buffer Near Crowds
Some RestrictionsLos Angeles Municipal Code § 56.31(b)(6), (d)
(b) The following shall apply to the operation of any Model Aircraft within the City of Los Angeles: ... 6. Excluding takeoff and landing, no Person shall operate any Model Aircraft within the City of Los Angeles closer than 25 feet to any individual, except the operator or the operator's helper(s). ... (d) It shall be unlawful for any Person to violate or fail to comply with this section. Any ...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Los Angeles city rules.
Drone Rules in Los Angeles County →