Watsonville, CA Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

Section 10-1.050(x) of the Watsonville Municipal Code is the drone rule for parks and public facilities in the City of Watsonville, California, in Santa Cruz County. It prohibits two things: using unmanned aircraft or drones in a manner inconsistent with State or Federal law, including FAA regulations, and using them at a park or public facility not designated for unmanned aircraft use by the City Manager. A pilot therefore needs both legal operation under FAA rules and a location the City Manager has designated. The chapter defines unmanned aircraft in 10-1.010(p) as an aircraft weighing less than fifty-five (55) pounds, including everything onboard or otherwise attached, that can be flown without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

Section 10-1.010(g) defines FAA as the Federal Aviation Administration. The word park in 10-1.010(h) is broad: a park, playground, open space area, trail, or any other area or grounds owned or used by the City and devoted to active or passive recreation, including parking lots built directly in and around the park, skate parks and bicycle pump tracks. Public facility in 10-1.010(l) means public buildings and public parking facilities. The prohibition applies unless otherwise permitted by the City, and Section 10-1.040 authorizes the City Manager to take any action, including promulgating policies or procedures, to administer the chapter.

The section text itself does not list the designated parks, so the designation comes from the City Manager. A related paragraph, 10-1.050(v), separately prohibits use of powered model airplanes, watercraft, or rockets at any time without a permit. Chapter 10-1 was adopted by Ordinance 1478-25, effective August 7, 2025.