Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation prohibits drone takeoff, landing, and operation in nearly all county parks. Limited exceptions exist for designated model-aircraft areas and for permitted commercial filming with advance Parks Department approval.
Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation regulations under Park Ordinance NS-610 ban the launch, landing, and operation of unmanned aircraft systems in county parks unless the activity is at a designated model-aircraft field or has a special-use permit. The ban covers popular parks including Stevens Creek, Sanborn, Mount Madonna, Vasona, Ed R. Levin, Joseph D. Grant, Almaden Quicksilver, and Coyote Lake. Wildlife-protection and visitor-safety concerns drive the rule, especially in raptor-nesting and reservoir areas. Commercial filming may obtain a permit through the Parks Department with proof of Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 certification, liability insurance, and a film-production fee. Federal preemption still controls airspace operations; the county rule covers only land-use authority.
Operating a drone in a closed county park is an infraction citable under Park Ordinance NS-610 with fines up to $500 per occurrence. Rangers may also confiscate equipment and report repeat violations to the Federal Aviation Administration.
See how Sunnyvale's park drone restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.