Concord, CA Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

While airspace operations are federally preempted, ground-oriented privacy and harassment laws apply fully to drone operators in Concord. California Civil Code §1708.8 creates civil liability for "physical invasion of privacy" (knowingly entering the airspace above someone's land to capture images of them engaged in private activity) and "constructive invasion of privacy" (using a device to capture images of private activity the plaintiff had a reasonable expectation of privacy in). Statutory damages up to three times actual damages, plus punitive damages and injunctive relief, are available. California Penal Code §632 makes it a misdemeanor to record confidential oral communications without all-party consent, applicable if a drone captures audio. Penal Code §647(j) criminalizes surreptitious video recording in places where the subject has a reasonable expectation of privacy (bedrooms, bathrooms, changing areas) — drone-to-window voyeurism has been prosecuted under this statute. Civil Code §1798.29 data-breach rules may apply to stored drone imagery containing personal data. While Concord has not enacted a drone-specific privacy ordinance, its nuisance code (CMC Title 8) and disturbing-the-peace provisions can address repeated harassment flights. Victims should document flights, note operator contact if possible, and report to Concord PD; persistent surveillance flights may also violate stalking statutes (PC §646.9). Drone operators should maintain reasonable altitude and avoid fixed-position hover over private residences.