Downey, CA Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

3, Operating Requirements. Because city parks and their buildings are public facilities, the chapter's citywide rules govern any drone launched, landed, or flown over Downey park property. park closing time set under Section 10112. A drone cannot take off, land, or operate within 100 feet of any public building or facility, which reaches park recreation centers, restrooms, and community buildings, without prior notification to and written authorization from the City. Operators must keep the aircraft within their own natural-vision line of sight at all times; goggles or video-relay monitors do not satisfy this requirement.

The drone cannot come closer than 25 feet to any person other than the operator or the operator's assistant except during takeoff and landing, a rule that matters in a crowded park setting. It also cannot fly less than 100 feet above a public sidewalk, parkway, alley, street, or parking lot, and cannot be operated to harass, stalk, disturb, frighten, or record a person or their property where they hold a reasonable expectation of privacy. 4 exempts drones operated by a public agency and drones authorized under a City film or special event permit when flown within that permit's conditions.

An operator who injures someone or damages property while flying must notify the Downey Police Department within 24 hours and provide identification and a current address.