Commercial Drones: Mountain View vs San Jose
How do commercial drones rules compare between Mountain View, CA and San Jose, CA?
San Jose has fewer restrictions than Mountain View.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Commercial drone operation in Mountain View requires FAA Part 107 certification and LAANC airspace authorization. Moffett Field creates controlled airspace over most of the city.
View full Mountain View rules →San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
Commercial drone operations in San Jose require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Operators must comply with all Part 107 regulations including flying below 400 feet AGL, maintaining visual line of sight, operating during daylight or civil twilight with anti-collision lights, and yielding to manned aircraft. LAANC authorization is required for operations in San Jose's controlled airspace near SJC and Moffett Field. The City does not require a separate local permit for commercial drone operations.
View full San Jose rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Federal rule | 14 CFR Part 107 | - |
| Pilot certificate | Remote Pilot required | - |
| Airspace authorization | LAANC for controlled airspace | - |
| Remote ID | Mandatory broadcast | - |
| City permit | Takeoff/landing on city land, filming | - |
| Certificate | - | FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required |
| Airspace | - | LAANC authorization required near SJC/Moffett |
| Local Permit | - | No separate city permit required |
| Insurance | - | Liability insurance recommended |
| Waivers | - | FAA waivers available for beyond-standard operations |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Do I need a City of Mountain View permit to fly commercially?
Only if you launch, land, or film on city property or in a park. Flights over private property with the owner's permission fall under FAA rules.
How do I get LAANC authorization?
Use an FAA-approved LAANC provider such as Aloft, AirMap, or Skyward to request near-real-time authorization for controlled airspace.
San Jose FAQ
Do I need a city permit for commercial drone work in San Jose?
No separate city permit is required, but you must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and obtain LAANC authorization for flights in controlled airspace near SJC airport.
Can I fly a drone for real estate photography in San Jose?
Yes, with a Part 107 certificate and LAANC authorization for the specific area. Most of San Jose requires airspace authorization due to proximity to SJC and Moffett Field.
Compare other topics
See how Mountain View and San Jose compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool