Daly City, CA Drone Rules: Commercial Drones (2026)

Commercial operators (real estate photography, inspections, mapping, cinematography, deliveries) must (1) hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR Section 107.61), (2) register each aircraft with the FAA, (3) fly only in airspace where authorized (Daly City is inside SFO Class B veil - LAANC or 14 CFR Section 107.41 Air Traffic Authorization is required), (4) maintain visual line of sight unless waivered, (5) fly under 400 ft AGL or within 400 ft of a structure, and (6) obtain a 14 CFR Section 107.39 waiver to operate over non-participating people, with night operations now permitted by rule (14 CFR Section 107.29 as amended) when anti-collision lighting is fitted. Operating a business from a Daly City address - which includes drone-services LLCs - requires registration under Daly City Municipal Code Title 5 (Business Licenses and Regulations) and payment of the city business license tax. Filming on city-owned property (parks, streets) typically requires a separate film/special-event permit from the City Clerk; check current Daly City Special Event Permit guidance. California Public Utilities Commission has additionally asserted jurisdiction over drone delivery as 'common carriage' under PUC Section 5371 in limited cases. Privacy and emergency-scene statutes (Civ. Code Section 1708.8; Pen. Code Section 402) apply to commercial operators identically to recreational ones.