Aliso Viejo, CA Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Chapter 8.30 regulates unmanned aircraft systems, called drones, in the City of Aliso Viejo. Its stated purpose is community-based safety requirements that do not preempt federal aviation rules or authority, or state law. The rules attach to takeoff and landing, so they reach recreational pilots as well as commercial operators.

Section 8.30.030 sets five baseline limits: no takeoff or landing within 25 feet of another individual other than the operator or the operator's designee; none on private property without the consent of the property owner; none during permitted public events without written or electronic permission from the city; none within 1,500 horizontal feet of any aircraft; and none with any type of weapon attached. Section 8.30.040 separately bars a takeoff or landing in a reckless manner creating a substantial risk of serious physical injury or damage to another's property.

Section 8.30.050 adds place-based limits. No takeoff or landing is allowed within 500 feet of an emergency vehicle operating with lights or sirens, within 500 feet of any active law enforcement or emergency response incident, or in violation of an FAA temporary flight restriction or notice to airmen. The code requires prior notification and authorization of school officials within 100 feet of a school facility. It bars takeoffs and landings within 500 feet of county or city-owned jails, holding facilities and law enforcement facilities, and within 100 feet of designated publicly owned buildings such as City Hall.

Operating over a public school, or a private school serving more than 200 students, during school hours and school-sponsored events needs prior authorization, and any drone flown over those schools at permitted times cannot carry a camera or video recording device. Operating within 10 feet of a person who is not participating is deemed harassing or intruding on privacy.

Section 8.30.060 exempts any public UAS and any UAS weighing less than 0.55 pounds. The chapter prints no penalty clause, so the code-wide default in section 1.06.010 applies unless otherwise specified.