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

The San Leandro Municipal Code does not contain a chapter dedicated to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or model aircraft; recreational drone flight in city limits is therefore governed by federal and state law. Federally, recreational flyers must comply with 49 U.S.C. §44809 (the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations): fly within visual line of sight, below 400 feet AGL in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, get LAANC authorization in controlled airspace, pass the FAA's TRUST aeronautical knowledge test, and register the aircraft with the FAA if it weighs over 0.55 lb (250 g). California layers two additional duties: Penal Code §402(b) makes it a misdemeanor (up to 6 months jail and/or $1,000) to knowingly operate a UAS that impedes police, firefighting, or emergency-medical operations at the scene of an emergency — AB 1680 (2016) added drones explicitly to §402. Civil Code §1708.8 creates civil liability (treble damages and disgorgement of profits) when a drone is used to capture audio/visual images of another person engaging in a private activity under circumstances where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. San Leandro Shoreline Recreation Area and other waterfront parks lie under the Oakland International Airport (KOAK) Class C surface area shelf, so any flight there requires LAANC authorization from the FAA.