Recreational drones in Alameda County must comply with FAA 14 CFR Part 107 and 49 USC 44809 rules including Remote ID, registration, and no flights over people or above 400 feet.
Recreational drone operations in Alameda County are primarily regulated by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 107 and 49 USC 44809 (Exception for Limited Recreational Operations). Drones over 0.55 lbs must be registered with the FAA and display Remote ID. Operators must pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), fly below 400 feet, keep the drone in visual line of sight, avoid flying over people or moving vehicles, and stay clear of controlled airspace without LAANC authorization. East Bay airports including Oakland International and Hayward Executive create controlled airspace affecting much of western Alameda County. Drone flights are prohibited in East Bay Regional Park District lands. State law PC 402 prohibits interfering with emergency responders. Local takeoff and landing on private property with permission is allowed.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle recreational drones.
See how Castro Valley's recreational drones rules stack up against other locations.
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