Ontario, CA Drone Rules: Commercial Drones (2026)

Ontario Municipal Code Sec. 1006 requires commercial drone operators to comply with all applicable FAA, federal, state, and local rules while flying in the city, and separately requires a drone operating permit and a business license before commencing any commercial drone activity. If a commercial flight crosses multiple jurisdictions, the operator must pay the City its proportionate share of business license fees and taxes for the operations occurring within Ontario's limits and airspace. Sec. 1006(c) adds a reporting duty: before starting commercial operations, the operator must submit a report describing the intended flight plan, the areas of operation, and the purpose of the commercial work.

Sec. 1007(a) folds the permit into the broader permit scheme covering any drone flown commercially or in a protected site, obtainable at the City's Flysafe portal, and requires the operator to notify the Chief of Police's office in writing of the flight plan once the permit issues. These commercial-specific duties sit on top of the general operating restrictions in Sec. 1003, including the 25-foot standoff from bystanders and the visual-line-of-sight requirement, effective under Ordinance 3310 since September 18, 2025.