Recreational drone flight in unincorporated San Mateo County is governed by FAA rules (49 USC §44809, 14 CFR Part 107 exemption) plus a countywide Park Orders ban: drones are PROHIBITED in all San Mateo County Parks (Huddart, Wunderlich, San Bruno Mountain, Edgewood, Pescadero Creek, Memorial, Sam McDonald, Junipero Serra, Crystal Springs). FAA Part 107 registration required for any drone over 0.55 lbs. SFO, Half Moon Bay Airport, San Carlos Airport, and Hayward Executive are nearby controlled airspaces requiring LAANC authorization.
FAA rules under 49 USC §44809 require recreational drone operators to: register any drone over 0.55 lbs with the FAA, pass the TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test), fly below 400 ft AGL, maintain visual line of sight, yield to manned aircraft, avoid emergency response areas, and obtain LAANC authorization before flying in controlled airspace. The Bay Area has dense controlled airspace — SFO Class B extends well into the Peninsula, and San Carlos (SQL), Half Moon Bay (HAF), and Palo Alto (PAO) airports ring the County. San Mateo County Parks have a blanket prohibition on drones (self-propelled model vehicles) under County Parks Department Rules & Regulations — violations are infractions. California State Parks (Año Nuevo, Butano) also prohibit drones except by permit. Night operations require anti-collision lights visible from 3 statute miles. Flying over people or moving vehicles requires Part 107 with operation-over-people waiver.
Operating in County Parks: infraction $50-$500 per Parks Rules. FAA rule violations: civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation, criminal penalties for reckless operation. Violating SFO Class B without authorization: FAA enforcement action and possible pilot-certificate consequences. Night flight without lights: FAA enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco regulates noise under SSFMC Chapter 8.32 (Noise Regulations). The ordinance prohibits loud, unnecessary noise disturbing neighborhood pea...
South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco prohibits nuisance barking under the general noise ordinance (SSFMC Ch. 8.32). Animal control in SSF is provided by Peninsula Humane Soci...
South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco permits construction with a valid city permit weekdays 8 AM–8 PM, Saturdays 9 AM–8 PM, and Sundays/holidays 10 AM–6 PM. Equipment noise c...
South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco enforces CVC 72-hour abandonment rule, street sweeping restrictions, and residential time-limit zones. The city is densely developed (bio...
South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco requires vehicles to be parked on legal paved parking areas. Blocking public sidewalks is prohibited. Garage conversion ADUs do not requi...
South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco restricts large commercial vehicles from parking in residential zones. South San Francisco's industrial character means commercial vehicl...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Mateo County.
See how other cities in San Mateo County handle recreational drones.
See how South San Francisco's recreational drones rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.