Pasadena, CA Drone Rules: Event Drone Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Municipal Code Section 9.45.030(B)
- Approval needed
- Property owner, event/permit applicant, and PD air operations
- Where filed
- Written approval filed with special events office
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor under Section 9.45.050
- Special event definition
- Section 9.45.020.D: parades, Ch. 3.20 permits, ticketed venues
Summary
Pasadena's drone ordinance bars flying, launching, or landing a drone over any special event or active filming permit location while the event or permit is underway, unless the property owner, the event or permit applicant, and the police department's air operations section have all given written approval to the city's special events office.
Unless otherwise permitted under this chapter, persons are prohibited from taking off, operating, or landing a drone in any airspace or area within or over the following areas of the city: ... B.Special event or filming permit locations (during the time period of the special event or filming permit), unless the property owner, event/permit applicant, and police department air operations section have all provided their approval to the special events office, in writing; or
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 79 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
B prohibits drone takeoff, operation, or landing over "special event or filming permit locations (during the time period of the special event or filming permit)" unless three parties, the property owner, the event or permit applicant, and the police department's air operations section, have all approved in writing to the special events office. 20 (Parade Permits); and any sporting contest, theatrical or musical performance, or exhibition held under a valid license, contract, or permit reserving the venue, such as a Rose Bowl game or a stadium concert.
090. 040 exempts law enforcement drones used lawfully and city or city-contracted drones performing surveying, infrastructure inspection, traffic monitoring, or event recording; those exemptions do not substitute for the three-party written approval required for a non-exempt drone over an event or filming site. 24 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, and the chapter was adopted by Ordinance No. 7303 on May 22, 2017.
Violations & Fines
Flying, launching, or landing a drone over a special event or an active filming permit location without the required triple written sign-off, from the property owner, the event or permit applicant, and the police department's air operations section, filed with the special events office, violates Section 9.45.030.B and is a misdemeanor under Section 9.45.050, punished as set out in Chapter 1.24 of the Pasadena Municipal Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone over a Pasadena parade or festival?
What counts as a 'special event' under the drone ordinance?
Does the same rule apply to film shoots?
What is the penalty for flying a drone over a Pasadena event without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasadena
California rules heatmap·Compare Pasadena to another location·View the California drone rules overview
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Event Drone Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle event drone restrictions.