Recreational drone flight in unincorporated San Mateo County is governed by FAA rules (49 USC §44809, 14 CFR Part 107 exemption) plus a countywide Park Orders ban: drones are PROHIBITED in all San Mateo County Parks (Huddart, Wunderlich, San Bruno Mountain, Edgewood, Pescadero Creek, Memorial, Sam McDonald, Junipero Serra, Crystal Springs). FAA Part 107 registration required for any drone over 0.55 lbs. SFO, Half Moon Bay Airport, San Carlos Airport, and Hayward Executive are nearby controlled airspaces requiring LAANC authorization.
FAA rules under 49 USC §44809 require recreational drone operators to: register any drone over 0.55 lbs with the FAA, pass the TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test), fly below 400 ft AGL, maintain visual line of sight, yield to manned aircraft, avoid emergency response areas, and obtain LAANC authorization before flying in controlled airspace. The Bay Area has dense controlled airspace — SFO Class B extends well into the Peninsula, and San Carlos (SQL), Half Moon Bay (HAF), and Palo Alto (PAO) airports ring the County. San Mateo County Parks have a blanket prohibition on drones (self-propelled model vehicles) under County Parks Department Rules & Regulations — violations are infractions. California State Parks (Año Nuevo, Butano) also prohibit drones except by permit. Night operations require anti-collision lights visible from 3 statute miles. Flying over people or moving vehicles requires Part 107 with operation-over-people waiver.
Operating in County Parks: infraction $50-$500 per Parks Rules. FAA rule violations: civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation, criminal penalties for reckless operation. Violating SFO Class B without authorization: FAA enforcement action and possible pilot-certificate consequences. Night flight without lights: FAA enforcement.
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