Santa Clara, CA Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

City Code Chapter 8.60 (Unmanned Aircraft Systems), adopted by Ordinance No. 2080 on November 4, 2025, prohibits initiating the takeoff or landing of any "Unmanned Aircraft" or "Unmanned Aircraft System" in any City of Santa Clara public park, under § 8.60.030(a)(3). The chapter defines "unmanned aircraft" to include "any homemade or commercially available device also known as a drone," per § 8.60.020(c), so the park ban covers hobbyist and DIY drones as well as commercial models; the code does not carve out a lighter rule for recreational fliers.

The park restriction stands independent of the chapter's Major Event radius rules in § 8.60.030(a)(1)-(2): a drone doesn't need to be near a concert or game to be grounded, simply landing in a Santa Clara park triggers the ban. Section 8.60.030(b) layers on an additional below-200-foot flight restriction over schools during school hours, critical infrastructure and private property used to harass someone, which can also apply within or near a park. The only carve-outs are public safety agencies operating for lawful purposes, per § 8.60.040(a), and a discretionary permit the Chief of Police, or designee, may grant under § 8.60.040(b); a permit does not excuse compliance with any other applicable law or regulation, including FAA rules that separately govern airspace over parks.

Enforcement runs through § 8.60.050: the Police Department may pursue a criminal, civil or administrative case at its discretion, a conviction can be a misdemeanor, and officers may seize the drone itself.