Drone Rules in Santa Clara County, CA (2026)

4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Santa Clara County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Recreational Drones

Recreational drones in Santa Clara County are governed by FAA 14 CFR Part 107 and recreational rules, with restrictions near airports, parks, and the Lick Observatory.

Recreational Drone Rules in Santa Clara County

Some Restrictions

49 U.S.C. § 44809 (Exception for Limited Recreational Operations)

Recreational Operations. If you want to fly a drone for purely recreational purposes, there is a limited statutory exception ("carve out") that provides a basic set of requirements; this is known as the The Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft (USC 44809). Recreational Flyers are required to complete The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof of compl...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Park Drone Restrictions

Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation prohibits drone takeoff, landing, and operation in nearly all county parks. Limited exceptions exist for designated model-aircraft areas and for permitted commercial filming with advance Parks Department approval.

Drones Banned in Most Santa Clara County Parks

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Airport Proximity Rules

Federal law preempts local airspace control. Drones near San Jose Mineta and Reid-Hillview airports must obtain LAANC authorization through the Federal Aviation Administration, follow controlled airspace altitude limits, and avoid temporary flight restrictions issued for emergencies.

Drone Flights Near SJC and Reid-Hillview Need LAANC Authorization

Heavy Restrictions

FAA UAS Data Exchange (LAANC); 14 CFR Part 107

LAANC is the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, a collaboration between FAA and Industry. It directly supports UAS integration into the airspace. LAANC provides: Drone pilots with access to controlled airspace at or below 400 feet. Awareness of where pilots can and cannot fly. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) information and updates to the Special Use Airspace (SUA) sche...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Event Drone Restrictions

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.