Chino Hills, CA Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned outright
- 6 named parks/facilities (§12.40.110(A))
- Line of sight
- Required at all times
- Bystander buffer
- 25 ft, except operator's designee
- Weapon attachments
- Banned everywhere (§12.40.110(A)(iv))
- Reckless flying
- Banned everywhere (§12.40.110(A)(v))
- Default penalty
- Infraction (§12.40.280)
Summary
Chino Hills bans unmanned aircraft takeoff and landing outright at six named parks and facilities, and at every other park restricts flying to the operator's visual line of sight, a 25-foot bystander buffer, and never in a reckless manner or with a weapon attached, under Municipal Code Section 12.40.110(A).
Unmanned Aircrafts including, but not limited to drones, model or toy airplanes, helicopters, or similar devices are permitted at all parks with the exception of Community Park, Grand Avenue Park, Veteran's Park, English Springs Park, the Chino Hills Community Center, and the McCoy Recreation and Equestrian Center, except in the service of the City by permission of the Community Services Director or designee. When operating Unmanned Aircraft within parks where Unmanned Aircraft are permitted to take off and land, no person shall takeoff or land an Unmanned Aircraft under the following circumstances:i.Outside of the person's visual line of sight.ii.Within twenty-five (25) feet of another individual, except the operator or the operator's designee...iv.With any type of weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, animate or inanimate, that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury, attached to it.v.In a reckless manner so as to create a substantial risk of serious injury to any person or substantial risk of damage to the property of another.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 61).
Full Breakdown
110(A) permits drones, model or toy airplanes, helicopters, and similar unmanned aircraft at every City park except Community Park, Grand Avenue Park, Veteran's Park, English Springs Park, the Chino Hills Community Center, and the McCoy Recreation and Equestrian Center, where takeoff and landing is banned outright unless the Community Services Director or designee authorizes a City-service flight. At parks where flying is allowed, the operator must keep the aircraft within visual line of sight at all times, stay at least 25 feet from any bystander other than the operator's own designee, and observe two absolute bans that apply everywhere: no weapon, device, or substance capable of causing death or serious bodily injury may be attached to the aircraft, and no one may fly in a reckless manner that creates a substantial risk of serious injury or property damage.
The same subsection separately regulates remote-controlled toy cars, trucks, and watercraft, banning them at the same six locations and banning gas-powered remote-control vehicles at every park citywide. 32. Ordinance No. 40 in February 2020.
Violations & Fines
Flying in a banned park, inside the 25-foot bystander zone, outside visual line of sight, or in a reckless manner is a park-chapter violation. Section 12.40.280 makes it an infraction by default, fined up to $100, then $200, then $500 for repeat offenses within a year under Section 1.36.020(B), with a fourth violation prosecutable as a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Chino Hills parks ban drones entirely?
How close can my drone get to other park visitors?
Can I attach anything to my drone in a Chino Hills park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino Hills
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino Hills to another location·View the California drone rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Park Drone Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle park drone restrictions.