Commercial drone flights in Berkeley require a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR Part 107, plus any needed LAANC authorization for controlled airspace and City permits for park or event use.
Any paid or work-related drone operation in Berkeley falls under FAA 14 CFR Part 107. Pilots must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate obtained by passing the Part 107 knowledge test, register each aircraft, and follow operating rules (daylight or civil twilight with anti-collision lighting, under 400 ft, visual line of sight, not over people without a waiver). Much of Berkeley sits under overlapping controlled airspace from Oakland International and special-use areas; flights in those zones require LAANC authorization before takeoff. Operating from or over City-owned property such as parks, piers, or public facilities requires a film/special-event permit and insurance through the City's Film Office or Parks Department. UC Berkeley campus operations require campus-specific approval. Insurance (typically $1M liability) is commonly required by City permit conditions.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle commercial drones.
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