Drone Rules in Riverside, CA (2026)
5 verified drone rules for Riverside, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational Drones
RMC § 12.04.045 requires anyone flying a hobby drone within Riverside city limits to follow FAA Advisory Circular 91-57A, and to notify the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower first if flying within five miles of Riverside Municipal Airport. Commercial drone use faces a stricter FAA-certification standard.
Riverside Recreational Drone Flight Rules
Some RestrictionsCity of Riverside, CA, Municipal Code § 12.04.045
Flying of model aircraft within Riverside City limits shall conform to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular 91-57A, dated September 15, 2015, or as subsequently amended; and if flown within five miles of the airport, the operator shall first notify the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. For the purpose of this chapter, Model Aircraft shall mean any unmanned aircraft (1) capab...
Commercial Drones
Riverside requires civil unmanned aircraft flown for anything beyond hobby or recreational use, including commercial and media work, to carry FAA certification, obtain FAA exemptions, and notify the airport tower.
Riverside Rules for Commercial Drone Flights
Some RestrictionsCity of Riverside, CA, Municipal Code § 12.04.045
Flying of civil Unmanned Aircraft (UA) within Riverside City limits shall conform to FAA certification requirements, obtain appropriate exemptions from the FAA and notify the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. For the purpose of this chapter, civil Unmanned Aircraft shall mean an unmanned aircraft operated by any person for any purposes other than strictly hobby or recreational purposes, including ...
Park Drone Restrictions
RMC § 9.08.090 bars flying drones or model aircraft anywhere in a Riverside city park except at a spot the Parks Director has specially set apart and authorized for that purpose. The same sentence also covers model rockets, golf-ball driving, archery, and other hazardous games.
Riverside Bans Drones in City Parks
Significant RestrictionsCity of Riverside, CA, Municipal Code § 9.08.090
No person shall play or engage in model airplane flying, drones, unmanned aircraft systems, model rockets, driving of golf balls, archery, or any game of a hazardous nature within a park, except at such place as shall be especially set apart and authorized for such purpose.
Airport Proximity Rules
Riverside requires anyone flying a model aircraft within five miles of Riverside Municipal Airport to first notify the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower, on top of following the FAA's national hobbyist safety guidance.
Riverside Drone Rules Near the Municipal Airport
Some RestrictionsCity of Riverside, CA, Municipal Code § 12.04.045
12.04.045 - Flying of model aircraft and civil unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Flying of model aircraft within Riverside City limits shall conform to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular 91-57A, dated September 15, 2015, or as subsequently amended; and if flown within five miles of the airport, the operator shall first notify the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. For the pu...
Event Drone Restrictions
RMC § 9.08.120(A)(1)(i) requires a Facility Reservation permit before anyone brings, lands, or launches a drone, unmanned aircraft system, balloon, or other aviation apparatus within a Riverside park district: on top of the general park drone ban in § 9.08.090.
Drones at Riverside Park Events Need a Permit
Significant RestrictionsCity of Riverside, CA, Municipal Code § 9.08.120(A)(1)(i)
Activity requiring facility reservation application. The following activities on park property shall require a facility reservation application... i.Bringing, landing or causing to ascend or descend or alight within the park district, any airplane, helicopter, flying machine, drone, unmanned aircraft system, balloon, parachute or other apparatus for aviation;
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Riverside city rules.
Drone Rules in Riverside County →