Commercial Drones: Chino vs Fontana
How do commercial drones rules compare between Chino, CA and Fontana, CA?
Chino has fewer restrictions than Fontana.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Chino has no local UAS ordinance, so commercial drone work — real estate photography, construction surveys, agricultural / dairy-preserve inspections, wedding videography — is governed entirely by FAA 14 C.F.R. Part 107. The pilot must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate under §107.61, the aircraft must be registered under §107.13, and operations are capped at 400 ft AGL (§107.51), within visual line of sight (§107.31), and during civil twilight or with proper anti-collision lighting. Operating in Chino Airport (CNO) Class D or Ontario (ONT) Class C airspace requires LAANC authorization. Cal. Civil Code §1708.8 separately governs privacy.
View full Chino rules →Fontana, CA
San Bernardino County
Commercial drone pilots in Fontana need an FAA Part 107 certificate and LAANC approval for Ontario Airport airspace. The city business license and property owner permission are required to operate.
View full Fontana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Local ordinance | None — Chino Municipal Code has no UAS-specific provisions | - |
| Federal rule | 14 C.F.R. Part 107 (small UAS commercial) | - |
| Pilot credential | Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 C.F.R. §107.61 (initial knowledge test at FAA-approved center) | - |
| Registration | Required for ALL commercial drones under 14 C.F.R. §107.13 (no weight exemption) | - |
| Airspace authorization | LAANC required across most of Chino (CNO Class D, ONT Class C shelves) | - |
| Operational limits | ≤ 400 ft AGL, ≤ 100 mph, VLOS, daylight/civil twilight with anti-collision lights | - |
| Business license | Chino Municipal Code Title 5 — required if principal place of business is in Chino | - |
| Certificate | - | FAA Part 107 |
| Airspace approval | - | LAANC for Ontario Class C |
| City business license | - | Required |
| Property owner consent | - | Recommended/required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
Do I need a Part 107 certificate for paid drone work in Chino?
Yes. Any non-recreational flight requires a Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 C.F.R. §107.61 — including real estate photography, construction progress shots, dairy-preserve agricultural surveys, and wedding videography. The recreational exception under 49 U.S.C. §44809 does not apply to any work performed for compensation.
Can I fly a Part 107 mission near Chino Airport?
Only with LAANC airspace authorization. Chino Airport (CNO) is Class D and most of the city lies under the CNO Class D ceiling or surrounding Class E surface area, plus Ontario International (ONT) Class C shelves to the north. Submit a LAANC request through an FAA-approved UAS Service Supplier before each flight.
Does Chino require a separate drone business license?
No drone-specific license, but if the operator's principal place of business is in Chino, a general business license under Chino Municipal Code Title 5 (Business Licenses and Regulations) is required.
Fontana FAQ
Do I need FAA certification for commercial flights?
Yes. Every pilot in command operating for compensation must hold a valid Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107.
Can I fly over a warehouse yard in Fontana?
Only with the property owner's consent, LAANC authorization, and compliance with all Part 107 operational limits.
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