Sacramento County, CA Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 9.36.068, County Code
- Default rule
- Drones prohibited park-wide
- Exception
- Designated fields/courts/areas only
- Off-designated-area use
- Needs Director's express permission
Summary
Sacramento County bans flying model airplanes, model helicopters, and drones in county park facilities except in fields, courts, or areas specifically set aside for that use, or with the Director's express permission.
The playing of rough or comparatively dangerous games such as football, baseball, horseshoes, soccer or of any games involving thrown, hit, or otherwise propelled objects such as golf balls, balls of other description, stones, arrows, javelins, model airplanes, model helicopters and drones is prohibited except in fields, courts, or areas specifically provided therefor or, with express permission of the Director, in areas compatible to said use. Persons desiring to use a park facility for the specific purpose for which the facility was established shall have priority of use over persons using said facility for another nonproscribed purpose. (SCC 36 § 2, 1971; SCC 1607 § 4, 2017)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 9.36.068 lists drones alongside model airplanes, model helicopters, and other thrown or propelled-object games like golf and javelin as activities prohibited in Sacramento County park facilities unless conducted in fields, courts, or areas the county has specifically designated for that purpose. Outside those designated areas, flying a drone requires the express permission of the Regional Parks Director, who may approve use in areas compatible with drone operation. Anyone using a park facility for its designated purpose has priority over someone using the same space for an unlisted purpose like drone flying.
Violations & Fines
Flying a drone in a Sacramento County park facility outside a designated area, without the Director's express permission, violates § 9.36.068 and is enforceable under the park chapter's general citation and misdemeanor provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are drones allowed anywhere in Sacramento County regional parks?
Does this apply to model airplanes and helicopters too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California drone rules overview
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