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

Except as expressly and directly authorized by applicable law, without a Valid Permit issued by the Director authorizing such use, no person shall launch or land a Drone, aircraft, or personal air vehicle within any Park Area or on any structure, facility, or equipment located within any Park Area.(1)This subsection shall not apply to an emergency landing by a Drone, aircraft, or personal air vehicle within any Park Area. The owner or operator of the Drone, aircraft, or personal air vehicle has the burden of demonstrating, to the satisfaction of the Director, that a real emergency existed that justified the landing. A person who launches a Drone, aircraft, or personal air vehicle from or within a Park Area without a Valid Permit from the Director, shall not be entitled to claim that a landing within a Park Area was an emergency landing.(c)Any Drone that, or person operating a Drone who, is required under any applicable law to have a valid license or permit to operate, shall have such a license or permit before taking off or landing within any Park Area. In addition to any other valid basis, a failure to have such license or permit is grounds for denial of a Valid Permit for any take-off or landing within a Park Area.(d)A person who violates or fails to comply with any part of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. No. NS-702.93, 1-9-18)

Sec. B14-45.4. - Hang gliding.