San Diego permits recreational drone flight subject to federal FAA rules and local park restrictions. The city Park & Recreation Department prohibits drones in regional parks including Balboa Park and Mission Bay without a permit. Recreational pilots must register drones over 0.55 lbs ($5/3 years), pass TRUST, and stay below 400 feet AGL within line of sight.
San Diego does not have a comprehensive city drone ordinance but enforces airspace and park regulations consistent with the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. The Park & Recreation Department prohibits launching, landing, or operating drones in city parks, including Balboa Park, Mission Bay Park, and Mission Trails Regional Park, except under permit. The County of San Diego also bans drones in county parks and preserves. Recreational operators must register drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds with the FAA, complete the TRUST test, keep the aircraft below 400 feet AGL, maintain visual line of sight, and avoid flight over crowds, stadiums (Petco Park, Snapdragon), and emergency operations. Flights anywhere in the San Diego metro generally require LAANC authorization because most of the city sits under SAN Class B airspace.
City park violations result in citations up to $250 and possible ejection. FAA violations carry civil penalties up to $27,500 and criminal penalties up to $250,000 plus three years imprisonment. Drones may be confiscated.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Diego County.
See how other cities in San Diego County handle recreational drones.
See how San Diego's recreational drones rules stack up against other locations.
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