Commercial drone work in Chico requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate; the city does not issue separate commercial UAS permits. Operations on city-owned land (Bidwell Park, civic facilities) require advance written permission per CMC Title 12R; CSU Chico has its own UAS authorization process for campus.
Per 14 CFR Part 107, anyone flying a drone for commercial purposes — real estate photography, inspections, mapping, journalism, weddings — must hold an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, register the aircraft, and operate within Part 107 limits (≤400 ft AGL, daylight or with anti-collision lighting, VLOS, no operations over people without a waiver). LAANC authorization is required near Chico Municipal Airport (CIC). Chico does not have a separate commercial drone permit, but: (1) Bidwell Park and other city parks require written permission under CMC Title 12R for any aerial operation; (2) film/photo permits for city property are handled by the City Manager's office; (3) CSU Chico requires separate authorization via Chico State Enterprises for UAS use on university property. State law (Cal. Gov. Code §853 — drones used by public agencies) imposes additional notice rules on government users.
FAA penalties up to $27,500 civil and $250,000 criminal per violation. Trespass/nuisance citations for unauthorized commercial flight over private property. CSU Chico violations may result in campus trespass charges (Cal. Penal Code §626.6).
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