Ceres, CA Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum distance from people
- 25 feet
- Altitude cap without FAA proof
- 400 feet
- Flight hours
- Daylight only
- No Fly zone authority
- City Manager, Police or Fire Chief
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine, 6 months jail
Summary
Ceres has no park-specific drone ban, but its citywide drone chapter covers park flights too: daylight only, 25 feet from people, and a 400-foot altitude cap, with power to declare parks off-limits.
No person shall operate any drone other than during daylight hours. ... No person shall operate any drone more than 400 feet above the earth's surface and no faster than 50 miles per hour unless written proof of authorization to do so is obtained from the FAA and is provided to the City and verified. ... Excluding takeoff and landing, no person shall operate any drone closer than 25 feet to any individual, except the operator or agents of the operator.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
City parks fall under the same rules as the rest of Ceres under Municipal Code Chapter 20: drones must stay within visual line of sight, fly only during daylight, stay below 400 feet, and keep 25 feet from anyone except the operator. The City Manager, Police Chief, or Fire Chief can also issue a posted "No Fly" proclamation grounding drones in specific parks or citywide when public safety requires it.
Violations & Fines
Violating any drone rule is a misdemeanor: up to six months in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine, or an administrative fine under Title 19. Each day of violation is a separate offense, and officers may force a violating drone to land.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone in a Ceres city park?
Can the City ban drones from a specific park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ceres
California rules heatmap·Compare Ceres to another location·View the California drone rules overview
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