Reedley, CA Drone Rules: Commercial Drones (2026)

Commercial drone operations in Reedley are regulated exclusively by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 107, as the city has not adopted any local drone licensing or permitting requirements. To fly commercially, operators must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate by passing the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test (Part 107 exam) and all commercial drones must be registered with the FAA. Standard Part 107 rules limit flights to daylight hours or civil twilight with appropriate anti-collision lighting, below 400 feet above ground level, within visual line of sight, at speeds not exceeding 100 mph, and prohibit flight over people not directly involved in the operation unless the operator has obtained a waiver or the drone meets an approved category under the Operations Over People rule. Reedley Municipal Airport (O32) creates airspace considerations for commercial operators working near the southeast portion of the city. Operators may need to request airspace authorization through the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system for flights in controlled airspace near the airport. Agricultural drone applications such as crop surveying, irrigation monitoring, and pest detection are increasingly common in the Reedley area and are subject to the same Part 107 requirements. Operators applying pesticides by drone must also comply with California Department of Pesticide Regulation requirements. A Reedley business license under Title 3 Chapter 2 may be required for drone service businesses operating within city limits.