San Mateo County, CA Drone Rules: Commercial Drones (2026)

Commercial drone use (any flight for compensation or in furtherance of a business) requires FAA Part 107 certification, obtained by passing the Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an FAA-authorized testing center. Certificate holders must complete recurrent training every 24 months. Operations in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or surface E) require LAANC authorization or a written Air Traffic Organization approval — nearly all of north/central San Mateo County falls within SFO Class B up to 10,000 ft. Waivers are required for night flight, flight over people, operations from moving vehicles, and beyond-visual-line-of-sight. San Mateo County does not require a separate countywide drone business license but commercial filming on public property (parks, roads, beaches) requires a Film Permit through the Planning & Building Department. Commercial operators carrying passengers for pay (not permitted under Part 107) would need a Part 135 certificate. Insurance (typically $1M+ aviation liability) is not legally required but is required by most clients and commercial property owners.