Commercial Drones: Castro Valley vs Hayward
How do commercial drones rules compare between Castro Valley, CA and Hayward, CA?
Castro Valley has fewer restrictions than Hayward.
Castro Valley, CA
Alameda County
Commercial drone operations in California follow uniform federal rules under 14 CFR Part 107 plus statewide California provisions in Civil Code 1708.8 and Public Utilities Code 21401, with local rules limited to ground-based regulation.
View full Castro Valley rules →Hayward, CA
Alameda County
Commercial drone work in Hayward requires FAA Part 107 certification, proper airspace authorization near Hayward Executive Airport, and compliance with local privacy rules.
View full Hayward rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Castro Valley | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Federal rule | 14 CFR Part 107 | - |
| Pilot certification | FAA Remote Pilot | - |
| Altitude ceiling | 400 feet AGL | - |
| State airspace law | PUC 21401 | - |
| FAA fine cap | Up to $32,666 | - |
| Certification | - | FAA Part 107 |
| Airspace | - | KHWD Class D, LAANC required |
| Remote ID | - | Required for most aircraft |
| Film permit | - | Often required for paid work |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Castro Valley FAQ
Do California cities license commercial drone operators?
No. Pilot certification is exclusively federal under 14 CFR Part 107. California cities cannot require their own drone pilot licenses, although they may charge fees for commercial filming permits on city property.
Can a city restrict where I take off for a job?
Yes for ground operations. Cities can regulate takeoff and landing on city-owned land and require film permits, but they cannot regulate the airspace, flight path, or altitude of a Part 107 operation.
Hayward FAQ
Do real estate photo flights count as commercial?
Yes. Any flight in furtherance of a business, including real estate photography, requires a Part 107 certificate and airspace authorization.
Do I need a city film permit?
Commercial filming on public property typically requires a Hayward film permit; private property shoots may still need permits if they impact streets or parking.
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