Commercial drone operations in unincorporated San Mateo County require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR Part 107), LAANC authorization for controlled airspace (most of the Peninsula falls within SFO Class B), and coordination with affected airports (SQL, HAF, PAO, SFO). San Mateo County Parks prohibit commercial drone use; filming permits may be obtainable for specific projects via County Film Commission coordination. Commercial filming in the Coastal Zone may require a Coastal Development Permit.
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 β 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.
Operating commercially without Part 107: FAA civil penalty up to $32,666 per violation. LAANC/airspace violation: FAA enforcement, certificate suspension/revocation. Filming on County property without permit: stop-production order, $500+ fines, possible equipment seizure. Coastal Zone commercial filming without CDP: $5,000-$50,000 fines under Coastal Act.
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