Santa Cruz County, CA Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SCCC § 10.04.150
- Rule
- Model aircraft/drones only in designated areas
- Who designates areas
- Dept. of Parks, Open Space & Cultural Services
- Default penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 / 6 months
- Separate ban
- Cotoni-Coast Dairies Unit, § 8.58.030(A)(19)
Summary
Santa Cruz County's park code doesn't use the word 'drone,' but § 10.04.150 bans operating any motorized model aircraft anywhere in a County park except in an area the Department has specifically designated for that use. Because a consumer drone is a motorized, remotely piloted model aircraft, this designated-area rule is the operative restriction on flying one in Aptos, Soquel, Live Oak, Felton, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek and other unincorporated county parks.
A person shall not operate motorized model aircraft, boats or other crafts except in areas designated for such use and subject to all rules and regulations applicable thereto.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5004302; v11 updated 2026-05-19; through 05-19-2026).
Full Breakdown
020(F): parks, trails, recreation areas, beaches, community centers and other land the County owns, operates or controls, in either incorporated or unincorporated territory. 150 addresses 'motorized model aircraft and boats' specifically, prohibiting their operation except in areas designated for such use and subject to all rules and regulations applicable thereto. 040(C) lets the Director impose conditions or deny a use on grounds including security, crowd control and public safety. , drones, and separately bans the takeoff or landing of any aircraft, including drones, on that specific unit; that chapter does not apply countywide, only to the Cotoni-Coast Dairies land.
305 lets the Director additionally post any park area as fully off-limits to protect public safety, which can extend to grounding drone flights entirely in a posted zone. 150 itself.
Violations & Fines
Flying a drone outside a Department-designated area in a County park violates § 10.04.150. Because that section states no penalty of its own, the code's default under § 1.12.010 applies: the violation is a misdemeanor, punishable under § 1.12.030 by up to six months in County jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Launching or landing an aircraft, including a drone, within the separately regulated Cotoni-Coast Dairies Unit is a distinct violation of § 8.58.030(A)(19).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone in a Santa Cruz County park?
Does the county define drones anywhere in its code?
What's the penalty for flying a drone in the wrong area of a park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Cruz County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Cruz County to another location·View the California drone rules overview
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