Daly City has no standalone municipal drone ordinance. Recreational drone (UAS) operation is governed by FAA 14 CFR Part 107 / Section 44809 (Recreational Flyer rule), with California Penal Code Section 402(b) (interference with emergency personnel) and Civil Code Section 1708.8 (physical and constructive invasion of privacy by aerial means) applying statewide. The Daly City Municipal Code (Title 4 Public Safety, Title 8 Public Peace, Morals and Welfare) does not enumerate a drone-specific section in the Municode TOC for code_of_ordinances; operators are bound by federal airspace rules and state privacy/safety statutes.
Recreational pilots flying in Daly City must (1) register the aircraft with the FAA if it weighs more than 0.55 lb (UAS registration requirement at 14 CFR Part 48), (2) pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) under 49 U.S.C. Section 44809, (3) fly below 400 feet AGL in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, and (4) request LAANC authorization before flying in controlled airspace. Daly City sits beneath the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Class B veil and a portion of the city is under the SFO Mode-C ring; LAANC authorization through an approved UAS Service Supplier is required before any flight in this controlled airspace, even recreational. California Penal Code Section 402(b) makes it a misdemeanor to fly a drone over an emergency scene that interferes with police, fire, or EMS operations. Civil Code Section 1708.8 creates civil liability for capturing imagery of a person engaged in a private activity where the person had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Daly City Code Title 8 (Public Peace, Morals and Welfare) general nuisance and disorderly-conduct provisions can additionally be applied to harassing or repeatedly intrusive overflights.
FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation for unregistered or unsafe recreational flight (49 U.S.C. Section 46301); criminal penalties up to $250,000 and 3 years imprisonment for willful violation. Cal. Penal Code Section 402(b) interference with first responders is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Civil Code Section 1708.8 privacy invasion supports treble damages and injunctive relief. Municipal nuisance enforcement under Daly City Code Title 1, Chapter 1.12 (General Penalty) carries fines up to $1,000 per day for continuing violations.
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