Vacaville, CA Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Vacaville's regulatory approach to drones is to rely on the federal-and-state floor rather than codify a local ordinance. Federal law preempts most operational aspects of drone flight under FAA jurisdiction. For recreational operators, 49 U.S.C. Section 44809 (the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft) requires that the aircraft be flown strictly for recreational purposes; in accordance with the safety guidelines of a community-based organization recognized by the FAA (e.g., AMA); within visual line of sight; in a manner that does not interfere with manned aircraft; from a location that complies with airspace authorizations; below 400 feet AGL in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, or with LAANC authorization in controlled airspace; with the operator having passed the FAA's TRUST (Recreational UAS Safety Test); and with the aircraft registered with the FAA if it weighs more than 0.55 lb (250 g) under 14 C.F.R. Part 48. For commercial or non-recreational operations, 14 C.F.R. Part 107 requires the remote pilot to hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, the aircraft to be registered, flight to be conducted within Part 107 operating limits (daylight or twilight unless waived, below 400 ft AGL, visual line of sight, max ground speed 100 mph, no flight over people unless qualifying under categories, no flight over moving vehicles unless qualifying), and Remote ID compliance under 14 C.F.R. Part 89 (fully effective since March 16, 2024). Vacaville lies in proximity to Travis Air Force Base (3.5 miles to the east), whose Class C airspace and DoD prohibited area (P-49 vicinity considerations) extend over much of east Vacaville; recreational and commercial drone flight in this controlled airspace requires LAANC authorization from the FAA's UAS Data Exchange, and operators should consult B4UFLY before each flight. California state law adds: Cal. Civil Code Section 1708.8 creates a private cause of action for use of a drone to capture audio, video, or other recordings of another in a manner offensive to a reasonable person where the subject has a reasonable expectation of privacy; Cal. Penal Code Section 402 makes it a misdemeanor to interfere with first responders, including by drone, and authorizes responders to disable interfering drones; Cal. Penal Code Section 11414 addresses harassment by recording. California Civil Code Section 43.101 (drone search-and-rescue immunity) and California state park orders posted by individual State Park Superintendents may restrict drone operations on specific state-managed lands. Vacaville parks rules adopted by the Parks and Recreation Department (under Title 12 of the VMC and posted regulations) may include drone restrictions at specific park sites (Lagoon Valley, Andrews Park, Allan Witt, etc.), but no comprehensive citywide park-drone ban is codified.