Event Drone Restrictions: Palo Alto vs Sunnyvale
How do event drone restrictions rules compare between Palo Alto, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
Palo Alto and Sunnyvale have similar restriction levels.
Palo Alto, CA
Santa Clara County
Major events at Levi's Stadium, SAP Center, and PayPal Park trigger FAA temporary flight restrictions banning drones within three nautical miles up to 3,000 feet. Violations carry federal criminal penalties in addition to civil fines.
View full Palo Alto rules →Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara County
Major events at Levi's Stadium, SAP Center, and PayPal Park trigger FAA temporary flight restrictions banning drones within three nautical miles up to 3,000 feet. Violations carry federal criminal penalties in addition to civil fines.
View full Sunnyvale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Palo Alto | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| FAA NOTAM | FDC 4/3621 stadium TFR | FDC 4/3621 stadium TFR |
| Radius | 3 nautical miles, 3,000 feet | 3 nautical miles, 3,000 feet |
| Window | 1 hour before to after | 1 hour before to after |
| Local venues | Levi's, SAP, PayPal Park | Levi's, SAP, PayPal Park |
| Criminal statute | 18 U.S.C. §39B | 18 U.S.C. §39B |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Palo Alto FAQ
Does the stadium TFR apply during practice or non-game events?
The standing TFR is triggered only by qualifying MLB, NFL, NCAA Division I football, and major motor-speedway events with 30,000-plus attendance. Concerts and other events need their own event-specific FAA TFR to ban drone flight.
How do venues detect drones over Levi's Stadium?
Levi's Stadium uses radio-frequency detection and partners with the Santa Clara Police Department, FBI, and FAA flight standards office. Operators are tracked back to their controllers and arrested under federal and state trespass laws.
Sunnyvale FAQ
Does the stadium TFR apply during practice or non-game events?
The standing TFR is triggered only by qualifying MLB, NFL, NCAA Division I football, and major motor-speedway events with 30,000-plus attendance. Concerts and other events need their own event-specific FAA TFR to ban drone flight.
How do venues detect drones over Levi's Stadium?
Levi's Stadium uses radio-frequency detection and partners with the Santa Clara Police Department, FBI, and FAA flight standards office. Operators are tracked back to their controllers and arrested under federal and state trespass laws.
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