Commercial Drones: Chino vs Hesperia
How do commercial drones rules compare between Chino, CA and Hesperia, CA?
Chino and Hesperia have similar restriction levels.
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 →Hesperia, CA
San Bernardino County
Commercial drone work in Hesperia is governed by FAA 14 CFR Part 107 — operators must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate, register the drone, comply with Remote ID, and stay under 400 ft AGL at no more than 100 mph. Hesperia has no local commercial UAS ordinance, but a Hesperia business license under Title 5 of the Hesperia Municipal Code is required for any business operating in city limits. Flights near Apple Valley Airport (APV) and Southern California Logistics Airport (KVCV) require LAANC authorization.
View full Hesperia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Hesperia |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Federal Rule | - | 14 CFR Part 107 (Small UAS Rule) |
| Pilot Certificate | - | Required — FAA Part 107 exam |
| Remote ID | - | Mandatory since March 16, 2024 |
| Altitude/Speed | - | ≤400 ft AGL, ≤100 mph (14 CFR §107.51) |
| Airspace | - | LAANC required near Apple Valley APV and Victorville KVCV |
| Local Permit | - | None — Hesperia Business License only (HMC Title 5) |
| Privacy Liability | - | Cal. Civ. Code §1708.8 applies |
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.
Hesperia FAQ
Do I need a Hesperia permit for commercial drone work?
No drone-specific permit, but any business operating in Hesperia needs a city business license under Hesperia Municipal Code Title 5 (Business Licenses and Regulations). The drone itself is governed entirely by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
What about flying near Apple Valley Airport or Southern California Logistics Airport?
Both trigger LAANC requirements. Apple Valley Airport (APV) has Class E surface airspace, and Southern California Logistics Airport (KVCV) in Victorville is Class D when the tower is open. Get LAANC authorization through B4UFLY or Aloft before launching anywhere near either field.
Is Remote ID being enforced?
Yes. As of March 16, 2024, every commercial drone must broadcast Remote ID. Operating without it is a Part 107 violation subject to FAA civil penalty action.
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