Commercial Drones: Castro Valley vs San Leandro
How do commercial drones rules compare between Castro Valley, CA and San Leandro, CA?
Castro Valley and San Leandro have similar restriction levels.
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 →San Leandro, CA
Alameda County
Commercial drone operations in San Leandro require FAA Part 107 certification and LAANC authorization in Oakland Class C airspace.
View full San Leandro rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Castro Valley | San Leandro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| FAA | - | Part 107 certificate |
| Airspace | - | LAANC for OAK Class C |
| Business License | - | Required if city-based |
| Waivers | - | Night, over people, BVLOS |
| Privacy | - | State tort liability |
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.
San Leandro FAQ
Can I fly a commercial drone near Oakland Airport?
Only after obtaining LAANC authorization for the specific grid and altitude.
Do I need a city business license?
Yes, if you operate a drone business based in or soliciting work in San Leandro.
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