Chino, CA Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

The Chino Municipal Code, codified through Ordinance No. 2025-002 (Supp. 37, March 18, 2025) on Municode, contains no Title 9 or Title 11 chapter that regulates unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones by name; the city has not adopted a local UAS ordinance. Recreational flight is therefore controlled by the federal framework. Under 49 U.S.C. §44809, a recreational operator must: (1) fly strictly for recreational purposes; (2) follow a community-based organization (CBO) safety code such as the AMA's; (3) keep the drone within visual line of sight (or that of a co-located observer); (4) yield right-of-way to manned aircraft; (5) obtain prior FAA authorization (LAANC) before flying in Class B/C/D or surface Class E controlled airspace; (6) fly at or below 400 ft AGL in Class G uncontrolled airspace; (7) pass the FAA Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof; and (8) register the drone with the FAA if it weighs more than 0.55 lb (250 g), per 14 C.F.R. §107.13 / §91.203. Since September 16, 2023, all drones requiring registration must broadcast Remote ID under 14 C.F.R. Part 89. Most of Chino sits inside Chino Airport (CNO) Class D and surrounding shelf-Class E surface airspace, plus Ontario International (ONT) Class C shelves to the north — recreational flight in those areas requires LAANC authorization through an approved provider (B4UFLY app). California Civil Code §1708.8 separately imposes civil liability for using a drone to capture images or recordings of a person engaged in private activity on residential property in a manner that would have required physical trespass — treble damages plus civil penalties of $5,000–$50,000 apply.