Redondo Beach, CA Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

703 states flatly that no person shall fly a powered model aircraft or glider within the City, except for gliders of 10 ounces or less in weight. 702 draw the line the ban is built on: a glider is a model aircraft kept aloft by wind currents or thermals that is either uncontrolled or controlled by radio or other electronic means, while a powered model aircraft is any model aircraft kept aloft by an electric motor or fueled engine and controlled by radio, electronic transmission, wires, or similar means.

Because the ban covers any powered model aircraft with no weight exception, it reaches consumer drones operated for recreation, not just fixed-wing model planes, since drones fit the definition of a powered model aircraft controlled by radio or electronic transmission. 701 makes it unlawful to take off or land any hang glider in the City, defining hang glider broadly but excluding any aircraft the FAA regulates or requires to be registered. 707 adds an independent reckless-operation offense, barring anyone from operating a model aircraft with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, a provision that would apply even to a device that somehow fell outside the powered-aircraft ban.

703 dates to Ordinance No. , 2004) but their text was not amended to carve out drones, so operators should not rely on any assumption that FAA drone registration overrides the local ban.