San Jose restricts drone use in city parks under SJMC §13.44.140 and related Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services rules. Most parks prohibit launching and landing without a permit, while a few designated areas (such as Lake Cunningham Action Sports Park's vicinity) have been used by AMA hobby clubs. Stadium TFRs apply around PayPal Park and SAP Center.
San Jose Municipal Code Title 13 governs conduct in city parks. SJMC §13.44.140 and Parks Department rules require a permit for operation of model aircraft and unmanned aerial systems on park property. Major parks including Kelley Park, Alum Rock Park, Almaden Lake, and Guadalupe River Park have posted no-drone policies — both for crowd safety and to protect raptor and waterfowl habitat. The FAA preempts airspace but San Jose lawfully restricts the use of park property for takeoff and landing. Mineta San José International Airport's Class C airspace covers most of central San Jose, requiring FAA LAANC authorization before any drone flight below 400 ft AGL. Recreational hobbyists with TRUST certification can request park permits through the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department, but approvals are rare. PayPal Park (Earthquakes) and SAP Center (Sharks) trigger 3-nautical-mile FAA TFRs during scheduled events, layered on top of any city park restrictions.
SJMC park violations are infractions with fines of $100 first offense, $200 second, and $500 third within 12 months. Rangers may issue citations for criminal trespass under PC §602 if the operator refuses to leave. FAA TFR or Class C violations carry separate civil penalties up to $32,666.
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