Chico has no standalone municipal drone ordinance for recreational hobbyists; FAA Part 107 and FAA recreational rules (49 USC §44809) govern airspace citywide. Local layer kicks in only at parks (CMC Title 12R, Bidwell Park) and on private property (trespass/nuisance).
Hobbyist UAS pilots in Chico must follow FAA recreational rules: register drones over 0.55 lb, fly under 400 ft AGL in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, keep visual line of sight, yield to manned aircraft, and pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). The Chico Municipal Code does not contain a dedicated drone chapter for general airspace — the city's primary local restriction is on park lands under CMC Title 12R (Rules and Regulations of Bidwell Park and Other Parks). Chico PD operates its own UAS fleet (13 drones, 10 Part 107 pilots, program launched July 2021), but department policy bars surveilling private property without a judicial order. California Penal Code §402 (interference with first responders) and Civil Code §1708.8 (drone-aided invasion of privacy) apply on top of FAA rules.
FAA civil penalty up to $27,500 per violation for unregistered or careless operation; criminal penalties up to $250,000 / 3 years for reckless endangerment of manned aircraft. Local trespass / nuisance citations possible for low-altitude flights over private property (Cal. Civ. Code §1708.8 — up to 5x actual damages plus punitives).
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