Drone Rules in Tulare, CA (2026)
3 verified drone rules for Tulare, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational Drones
Tulare Municipal Code contains no dedicated chapter regulating recreational unmanned aircraft systems (drones / UAS). Operations are governed primarily by federal rules: FAA 14 CFR Part 107 (commercial) and 49 U.S.C. 44809 (Exception for Limited Recreational Operations), which requires TRUST certificate completion, registration of drones >0.55 lb, line-of-sight flight, max 400 ft AGL outside controlled airspace, no flight over people/moving vehicles without waiver, and yielding to manned aircraft. California is a NON-preemption state, so a city could regulate take-off/landing on city property, but Tulare has not done so by ordinance. California Civil Code 1708.8 (anti-paparazzi) creates civil liability for using a drone to capture images of private activity over another person's land.
No Tulare drone ordinance; FAA Part 107 + Recreational Exception + Cal. Civil Code 1708.8 control
Few RestrictionsCommercial Drones
Tulare imposes no city-issued commercial UAS permit. Commercial drone operations (real estate photography, agricultural surveying, infrastructure inspection, weddings, etc.) require a Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR Part 107, drone registration via FAA DroneZone, and compliance with operating limits (400 ft AGL, daylight or twilight with anti-collision lighting, visual line of sight, max 100 mph). Commercial pilots needing to fly over people, at night, or beyond visual line of sight must obtain a Part 107 waiver. Operations in Tulare County agricultural areas may also need to coordinate with crop-duster operations and the FAA Class G airspace surrounding Mefford Field.
Commercial drones require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate; no local registration
Some RestrictionsPark Drone Restrictions
Tulare Municipal Code Chapter 8.36 (City Park and Trail Ordinance) governs conduct in city parks but does NOT contain an express prohibition on operating, launching, or landing drones. Park Services / Parks & Recreation can impose reasonable conditions on activities that disturb other park users or damage facilities, and Tulare M.C. § 7.28.030 (nuisance) can be invoked for drone use that creates a disturbance. Federal law (FAA) controls the airspace itself, so the city cannot regulate flight altitude or routes — only take-off and landing on city-owned property and ground-conduct in parks. California state parks and California Department of Fish & Wildlife lands have separate posted orders that may prohibit UAS.
No express drone ban in Tulare city parks; general Chapter 8.36 park rules apply
Some RestrictionsLooking for Tulare County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tulare city rules.
Drone Rules in Tulare County →