San Clemente, CA Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

030 lists eight prohibited operations for any "UA," the code's term for a drone. 020. They cannot take off, land, or operate within 25 feet of another person besides the operator or the operator's designee (B). Flying on or over private property that is not the operator's requires the property owner's written or electronic consent, which the operator must carry during the flight (C). Flying over a City-permitted public event requires the City's written or electronic permission, also carried during flight (D). 050 (G), and cannot fly between 30 minutes before official sunset and official sunrise (H).

040 separately bans reckless operation that endangers people or property. 050 adds more restrictions: 500 feet from an emergency vehicle running lights or sirens, 500 feet from an active law-enforcement or emergency incident, no violation of any FAA Temporary Flight Restriction or Notice to Airmen, 500 feet from a school without the school's prior written authorization carried during flight, and 500 feet from a jail, holding facility, or a City Manager-designated public building, whose addresses the City must publish. C. Section 40102; there is no separate track for commercial operators, so a hobbyist and a business drone pilot follow identical rules.