Recreational Drones: Berkeley vs San Leandro
How do recreational drones rules compare between Berkeley, CA and San Leandro, CA?
San Leandro has fewer restrictions than Berkeley.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
Recreational drone pilots in Berkeley must follow FAA rules under 49 USC 44809, register aircraft over 0.55 lb, pass the TRUST test, and avoid Berkeley parks and UC Berkeley airspace.
View full Berkeley rules →San Leandro, CA
Alameda County
Recreational drone flights in San Leandro must follow FAA rules and respect park closures and Oakland Class C airspace restrictions.
View full San Leandro rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | San Leandro |
|---|---|---|
| FAA TRUST | Required for all rec pilots | - |
| Registration | Drones 0.55 lb and up | Over 0.55 lb |
| Altitude | Below 400 ft AGL | - |
| City parks | No launch without permit | - |
| UC Berkeley | Own drone policy | - |
| FAA | - | TRUST test required |
| Airspace | - | OAK Class C, use LAANC |
| Parks | - | Permission for takeoff |
| Shoreline | - | No wildlife harassment |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Can I fly a drone in a Berkeley park?
Generally no. City parks require a permit for drone operations under BMC 6.28.
Do I need to register my drone?
Yes if it weighs 0.55 lb or more. You also must pass the FAA TRUST test for any recreational flight.
San Leandro FAQ
Can I fly a drone at the San Leandro Marina?
Only in compliance with FAA rules and LAANC authorization for OAK airspace, and avoid wildlife disturbance.
Do I need a city permit to fly recreationally?
Not for airspace, but park takeoff/landing may require Recreation Department approval.
Compare other topics
See how Berkeley and San Leandro compare on other ordinance categories.
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