San Benito County, CA Drone Rules: Commercial Drones (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- conditional use permit required
- Zone
- Commercial Thoroughfare (C-1) only
- Federal rules
- 14 C.F.R. pt. 101 & 107
- Exempt
- non-commercial, publicly owned UAS
Summary
Building a dedicated takeoff-and-landing facility for commercial drone shipping or delivery in unincorporated San Benito County requires a conditional use permit, allowed only in the Commercial Thoroughfare (C-1) zone.
(B) Permitted zoning for take-off and landing facilities of UAS. Facilities for the takeoff and landing of unmanned aircraft are permitted subject to the approval of a conditional use permit within the Commercial Thoroughfare (C-1) Zone in accordance with Chapter 25.03 of this code. ... (C) Compliance with all applicable regulations. The takeoff, landing, and operation of all UAS must comply the Code of Federal Regulations defined in 14 C.F.R. pt. 101 and 14 C.F.R. pt. 107...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
San Benito County zoning requires a conditional use permit for any facility built for the takeoff and landing of unmanned aircraft systems, and permits that use only within the Commercial Thoroughfare (C-1) zoning district. Any structures built for the facility also go through development plan review. All UAS operation at the facility must comply with the Code of Federal Regulations at 14 C.F.R. part 101 and part 107, plus any state UAS rules. The permit requirement targets commercial and delivery operations; non-commercial and publicly operated UAS use is exempt.
Violations & Fines
Operating a UAS takeoff/landing facility without the required conditional use permit, or outside the C-1 zone, is a zoning violation subject to county enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a drone delivery landing pad anywhere in the county?
Does this apply to a company just flying drones, not building a landing facility?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California drone rules overview
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