Drone Rules in San Jose, CA (2026)
5 verified drone rules for San Jose, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational Drones
Recreational drone operation in San Jose is governed primarily by FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 107 and the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations under 49 USC §44809). San Jose does not have a comprehensive local drone ordinance but restricts drone use in city parks and near city facilities. Recreational operators must follow FAA rules including flying below 400 feet AGL, maintaining visual line of sight, and avoiding restricted airspace around San Jose International Airport (SJC) and Moffett Federal Airfield.
San Jose Recreational Drone Flying Rules
Some Restrictions14 CFR Part 101 / Recreational UAS (FAA)
Recreational Operations. If you want to fly a drone for purely recreational purposes, there is a limited statutory exception ("carve out") that provides a basic set of requirements; this is known as the The Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft (USC 44809) .
Commercial Drones
Commercial drone operations in San Jose require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Operators must comply with all Part 107 regulations including flying below 400 feet AGL, maintaining visual line of sight, operating during daylight or civil twilight with anti-collision lights, and yielding to manned aircraft. LAANC authorization is required for operations in San Jose's controlled airspace near SJC and Moffett Field. The City does not require a separate local permit for commercial drone operations.
San Jose Commercial Drone Permit Rules
Some Restrictions14 CFR Part 107 / Commercial UAS (FAA)
If you are not sure if Part 107 rules work for you and your intended operation check our user identification tool . Some operations will require a waiver. Here are the regulations specified in §107.205 that are subject to waiver:
Park Drone Restrictions
San Jose restricts drone use in city parks under SJMC §13.44.140 and related Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services rules. Most parks prohibit launching and landing without a permit, while a few designated areas (such as Lake Cunningham Action Sports Park's vicinity) have been used by AMA hobby clubs. Stadium TFRs apply around PayPal Park and SAP Center.
San Jose Park Drone Rules
Some RestrictionsAirport Proximity Rules
Most of San Jose lies within controlled airspace around Mineta SJC, Reid-Hillview, and the San Martin general aviation airport. FAA Part 107 and recreational pilots must obtain Low-Altitude Authorization (LAANC) before flying drones in these zones, and altitudes are capped well below the standard 400 feet.
LAANC Authorization Required Near San Jose Airports
Heavy RestrictionsFAA Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC)
LAANC is the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, a collaboration between FAA and Industry. It directly supports UAS integration into the airspace. LAANC provides: Drone pilots with access to controlled airspace at or below 400 feet. Awareness of where pilots can and cannot fly. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) information and updates to the Special Use Airspace (SUA) sche...
Event Drone Restrictions
FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions automatically establish drone no-fly zones over Levi's Stadium 49ers games, SAP Center events, and other large gatherings. San Jose adds local rules under SJMC Title 13 and venue policies; violators face FAA penalties and criminal charges under California Penal Code §402.
TFRs and Venue Rules Block Drones at San Jose Events
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Jose city rules.
Drone Rules in Santa Clara County →