Lodi, CA Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

There is no provision in the Lodi Municipal Code that bans or licenses recreational drone (UAS) use generally — searches of Title 9 (Public Peace, Morals and Welfare) and Title 12 (Streets, Sidewalks, and Public Places) do not produce a dedicated drone chapter. That means recreational flying in Lodi is governed by the federal framework that preempts most local airspace rules. Under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, recreational flyers must (1) fly only for recreation, (2) follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community Based Organization such as the AMA, (3) keep the drone within visual line-of-sight, (4) yield right-of-way to manned aircraft, (5) fly at or below 400 feet in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, (6) obtain LAANC authorization before flying in controlled airspace, (7) take and pass the FAA's free TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) and carry proof, and (8) register the drone with the FAA if it weighs more than 0.55 lb (250 g). California law (Civil Code §1708.8) also creates civil liability for using a drone to capture images of another person 'engaging in a private, personal, or familial activity' without consent (the anti-paparazzi statute). Pen. Code §402 makes it a misdemeanor to interfere with first-responder emergency operations with a drone. Lodi sits under uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, but both Lodi Airport (1O3) and Lodi Airpark (L53) are non-towered airports — recreational pilots must notify the airport operator/ATC if flying within 5 miles, per AMA safety guidelines.