Indio, CA Drone Rules: Airport Proximity Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited conduct
- Interfering with airport/heliport traffic
- Federal rule referenced
- 14 C.F.R. § 107.43
- Enforced by
- Indio Police Department
- Adopted
- Ord. 1731 (2018), amended 2023
Summary
Indio, in Riverside County, California, bans operating any drone in a way that interferes with air traffic patterns at an airport or heliport, tracking the FAA's own interference rule.
Interference with airports and heliports. In accordance with 14 C.F.R. § 107.43 and all other applicable federal regulations, no person may operate a drone, unmanned aircraft, or small unmanned aircraft in a manner that interferes with operations and traffic patterns at any airport or heliport.
(8) Operation in certain airspace. In accordance with 14 C.F.R. § 107.41, and all other applicable FAA regulations, no person may operate a drone, unmanned aircraft, or small unmanned aircraft in Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from the applicable Air Traffic Control.
(a) Class B, C, D, and E airspace are defined under 14 C.F.R. § 71.
(9) Flight restrictions in the proximity of certain areas designated by notice to airmen. A person acting as a remote pilot in command must comply with the provisions of 14 C.F.R. § 91.137 through § 91.145 and 14 C.F.R. § 99.7.
(10) Carriage of hazardous materials. In accordance with 14 C.F.R. § 107.36, a drone, unmanned aircraft, or small unmanned aircraft may not carry hazardous material. For purposes of this section, the term “hazardous material” is defined in 49 C.F.R. § 171.8.
(11)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4796010; v13 updated 2026-02-04; through 02-04-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 105 of the Indio Municipal Code prohibits operating a drone, unmanned aircraft, or small unmanned aircraft in a manner that interferes with operations and traffic patterns at any airport or heliport, incorporating the FAA's interference rule at 14 C.F.R. § 107.43. This applies citywide in addition to Chapter 105's other requirements, such as designating a remote pilot in command and following all federal operating limits, and sits alongside separate 500-foot protected-site rules for other sensitive locations.
Violations & Fines
Interfering with airport or heliport operations is a Chapter 105 violation enforced by the Indio Police Department, separate from any FAA enforcement action for the same conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone near an Indio airport?
Does this rule apply near small heliports too, not just airports?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indio
California rules heatmap·Compare Indio to another location·View the California drone rules overview
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Airport Proximity Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle airport proximity rules.