Recreational drone operation in the City of Napa is governed primarily by federal FAA rules: 14 CFR Part 107 (commercial) and 49 U.S.C. Section 44809 (recreational). All drones over 0.55 lb must be registered with the FAA, fly under 400 feet AGL, and remain within visual line of sight. Napa Municipal Code Section 12.36.130 prohibits drone operation in any city park, playground, or tot lot except in designated areas with a permit from the Director of Community Resources. Napa County Airport (APC) lies in controlled airspace requiring LAANC authorization, and California Civil Code Section 1708.8 punishes drone privacy intrusions.
The FAA has exclusive authority over US airspace, so the City of Napa cannot regulate drone flight altitude or airspace as such, only takeoff, landing, and use on city-owned property. Recreational pilots operating under 49 U.S.C. Section 44809 must (1) fly strictly for recreation, (2) follow a community-based-organization safety code (AMA, FPV Freedom Coalition), (3) keep the drone below 400 ft AGL and within visual line of sight, (4) yield to manned aircraft, (5) obtain LAANC authorization before flying in controlled airspace, (6) pass the TRUST recreational knowledge test, and (7) register the drone with the FAA if it weighs 0.55 lb or more. The Napa County Airport (KAPC) sits in Class D / Class E surface airspace, so a LAANC authorization through AirMap, Aloft, or Avision is required for any drone flight in the surrounding area. The City of Napa adds two property-side rules. Napa Municipal Code Section 12.36.130 makes it unlawful to operate a drone in any city park, playground, tot lot, or other park or playground facility, except in areas set aside for that purpose and with authorization and a permit from the Director of Community Resources. State law layers Civil Code Section 1708.8 (drone privacy invasion is a civil tort with treble damages plus punitive damages) and Penal Code Section 402 (criminal interference with emergency response, including drone disruption of wildfire response, a misdemeanor with up to 6 months in county jail and a $2,000 fine).
FAA enforcement under Part 107 / Section 44809 ranges from warning letters to civil penalties of $1,000 to $30,000+ per violation, with criminal referrals for reckless or hazardous operation. California Civil Code Section 1708.8 supports private suits with treble damages plus punitive damages and attorney fees. Penal Code Section 402 wildfire interference is a misdemeanor (up to 6 months jail / $2,000 fine). Napa Municipal Code Section 12.36.130 violations in city parks are typically infractions issued by Napa Police or Park Rangers under the city's general penalty schedule ($100 / $200 / $500 progression). Flying without LAANC near Napa County Airport can trigger FAA civil penalties up to $30,000 and potential criminal charges for endangering aircraft.
Napa, CA
Pool barriers in Napa follow California Health and Safety Code Sections 115921-115929 (the Swimming Pool Safety Act, as amended Jan 1, 2018) and California B...
Napa, CA
Napa Municipal Code 17.52.170 governs fence height and visibility but does not impose a closed list of allowed residential fence materials. Wood, vinyl, orna...
Napa, CA
Napa's Municipal Code does not require neighbor consent to build a fence. Boundary fence cost-sharing follows California Civil Code Section 841 — the Good Ne...
Napa, CA
Fences 6 feet or less in Napa generally do not need a building permit, but any fence over 6 feet in height must obtain a building permit under the California...
Napa, CA
City of Napa Municipal Code Section 17.52.170 regulates fences, walls, and hedges. Fences in residential side and rear yards are typically allowed up to 6 fe...
Napa, CA
The City of Napa caps household keeping at six (6) small domestic animals over four months of age under the Zoning Ordinance definition in Napa Municipal Cod...
See how Napa's recreational drones rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.