Drones are not allowed in Sonoma County Regional Parks (which manages Plaza Park and Depot Park in the City of Sonoma), and SMC Ch. 9.12 prohibits activities in city parks that endanger or disturb other visitors. Nearby California State Parks, including Sonoma State Historic Park, also prohibit unmanned aircraft except under a Special Use Permit.
Sonoma County Regional Parks: Sonoma County Regional Parks states explicitly that 'Drones are prohibited in Sonoma County Regional Parks.' The county's authority traces to its Parks code, which bars 'model airplanes on or over land' and 'model craft of any kind or description' that could 'endanger or disturb persons,' and to Section 20-30, which prohibits landing or taking off any aircraft from any body of water or land area in the park. Park rangers post advisory signs at the parks where complaints are most frequent. City parks: Within the City of Sonoma, public park conduct is governed by Sonoma Municipal Code Chapter 9.12 (Public Park and Recreation Areas – Regulations), which sets park hours (§9.12.050), bars disorderly conduct (§9.12.150), and restricts motorized conveyances (§9.12.140). Plaza Park and Depot Park in the City of Sonoma are managed by Sonoma County Regional Parks, so the county's drone prohibition applies there directly. State parks: California State Parks, including Sonoma State Historic Park, the Bay Area District (which covers Trione-Annadel, Sugarloaf Ridge, and Jack London SHP near Sonoma), and many others, prohibit unmanned aircraft except under a Special Use Permit (California Code of Regulations Title 14 §4320). FAA airspace rules still apply on top of these surface-use prohibitions.
Sonoma County Regional Parks violations are infractions enforced by park rangers and the Sonoma County Sheriff and can result in citation and ejection from the park. Within the City of Sonoma, SMC §9.12.160 authorizes enforcement of park rules; general code violations are infractions under SMC Title 1 and may be prosecuted as misdemeanors. California State Parks violations under 14 CCR §4320 can result in fines and confiscation of equipment.
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