San Francisco bans drone takeoff and landing in all city parks under SF Park Code 3.10. Recreational pilots must register drones over 0.55 lbs with the FAA ($5/3 years), pass the TRUST test, fly below 400 feet AGL, and keep the aircraft in line of sight. Most of the city sits under SFO Class B airspace requiring LAANC authorization.
San Francisco enforces strict recreational drone rules. SF Recreation & Park Code Section 3.10 prohibits operating model aircraft, drones, or UAS in any city park, including Golden Gate Park, Crissy Field, and Dolores Park. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 preempts airspace regulation, but local control of takeoff and landing on city property remains. Recreational pilots must register any drone over 0.55 pounds with the FAA (recreationaluas.faa.gov), pay the $5 fee valid for three years, complete the free TRUST test, fly only within visual line of sight, stay below 400 feet AGL, yield to manned aircraft, and avoid stadiums, emergency response, and federal land such as the Presidio and GGNRA (the National Park Service also bans drones). Nearly all of San Francisco lies under SFO Class B airspace, requiring LAANC authorization before flight.
SF Park Code violations are infractions punishable by fines up to $500 plus possible misdemeanor charges and drone confiscation. FAA violations carry up to $27,500 civil and up to $250,000 criminal penalties plus three years prison.
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