Riverside Municipal Code § 9.08.090 prohibits model airplane flying, model rockets, and 'any game of a hazardous nature' inside any City park except where specifically authorized. Drones launched from or landed in city parks without a Facility Reservation permit are subject to enforcement.
Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 9.08 governs the use of all public parks owned by the City. Section 9.08.090 (Games; Restrictions) provides: 'No person shall play or engage in model airplane flying, model rockets, driving of golf balls, archery, or any game of a hazardous nature within a park, except at such place as shall be especially set apart and authorized for such purpose.' Park Rangers and Riverside Police interpret 'model airplane flying' to cover hobby drones (UAS) launched from or landing in park property — the airspace above parks is FAA-regulated, but the ground-level act of takeoff/landing is local park property and is restricted. Section 9.08.110 closes all city parks from thirty minutes after sunset until thirty minutes before sunrise, so even where flying might be tolerated, after-dark park presence is itself a violation. Section 9.08.120(A)(1)(i) further requires a Facility Reservation Application for 'bringing, landing or causing to ascend or descend or alight within the Park District, any airplane, helicopter, flying machine, balloon, parachute or other apparatus for aviation' — covering all UAS operations from city park land. Adjacent areas like Mt. Rubidoux are city parks and treated the same. Note: nearby Riverside County Regional Park & Open-Space District land (Mt. Rubidoux trails partially overlap) has its own separate ordinance.
Violation of Chapter 9.08 is an infraction under the general penalty (RMC § 1.16): typically $100 first offense, $200 second, $500 third within one year. Operating without a Facility Reservation Permit when one is required is a separate violation. Park Rangers may also order the drone operator to leave; refusal to leave a park during closed hours (after sunset) is itself a separate infraction under § 9.08.110.
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