La Verne Municipal Code Ch. 8.37 Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The city recognizes the benefits of small unmanned aircraft systems for recreation, education, commerce, and public safety. Portions of La Verne lie within controlled airspace associated with Brackett Field Airport (POC), a Class D airspace facility, where FAA authorization applies to certain flights. The city defers to federal law on air navigation and regulates only ground-based activities on city property to protect safety, privacy, and quiet enjoyment.

This chapter regulates launching from and/or landing on city property, conduct that interferes with emergency operations, and raises privacy and/or harassment concerns, while establishing a permitting system for authorized drone use.

(Ord. 26-1138, 1/20/2026)

For purposes of this chapter:

"City property"

means any real property or airspace immediately above property owned, leased, operated, or controlled by the city, including parks, open space, buildings, lots, and public rights-of-way.

"Emergency operation"

includes police, fire, emergency medical, or disaster response activity, including temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) or incident perimeters.

"Recreational flyer"

means an operator flying strictly for recreational purposes under 49 U.S.C. § 44809.

"Remote Pilot"

means an operator certificated under 14 CFR 107.

"Special event"

means a city-permitted event or assembly designated by the city manager or designee.

"UAS activity permit"

means a permit issued by the police chief or designee.

"Unmanned aircraft (UA)," "unmanned aircraft system (UAS)," or "drone"

means an aircraft operated without direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft and includes the associated control station and communications links.

(Ord. 26-1138, 1/20/2026)

This chapter applies to any person who launches or lands a UAS from or on city property or whose UAS operation originates from city property.

Nothing in this chapter regulates or is intended to regulate navigable airspace, flight paths, or pilot certification beyond requiring compliance with applicable FAA regulations, including Remote ID, Part 107, and Section 44809.

(Ord. 26-1138, 1/20/2026)

A. FAA Compliance Required. All UAS operations launched or landed from city property shall comply with FAA regulations, including registration, Remote ID, and airspace authorization requirements.

B. Permitted Areas. Launching or landing is prohibited except:

1. In a city-designated area during posted hours;

2. Under a valid city UAS activity permit; or

3. As part of an authorized public safety operation.

C. Rights-of-Way. Launching or landing from or on streets, sidewalks, or medians is prohibited except under a city-issued UAS activity permit or for public safety operations.

D. Proximity Restrictions. Launching or landing within 200 feet of schools, playfields, or critical facilities (including police, fire, or utility sites) is prohibited without written authorization from the police chief or designee.

E. Emergency or Red Flag Days. The city manager or fire chief may suspend UAS operations from city open spaces during declared emergencies or Red Flag conditions.

F. Noise and Harassment. Operators shall not harass, stalk, disturb persons or wildlife, or create unreasonable noise while operating a UAS.

(Ord. 26-1138, 1/20/2026)

It is unlawful to operate a UAS in a manner that interferes with or obstructs emergency operations or violates a temporary flight restriction (TFR). Pursuant to state and federal law, public employees are immune from liability for damage to a UAS reasonably necessary to abate such interference.

(Ord. 26-1138, 1/20/2026)

Operators shall not use a UAS in a manner that violates Cal. Civ. Code § 1708.8 or any other privacy law. Use of optical, audio, or thermal sensors to surveil persons on private property where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists is prohibited unless authorized by law.

(Ord. 26-1138, 1/20/2026)

Recreational flyers must comply with 49 U.S.C. § 44809 including TRUST certification and visual line-of-sight requirements.

Commercial operators must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and present documentation upon request by city personnel.

(Ord. 26-1138, 1/20/2026)

A. The city may designate UAS launch/land sites and issue day-use permits for recreational operations.

B. A UAS activity permit is required for commercial filming, demonstrations, or drone use within 400 feet of a special event.

C. The city may impose conditions, including insurance, safety perimeters, visual observers, and cost-recovery fees. Fees for issuance of a UAS activity permit may be set by Council Resolution.

(Ord. 26-1138, 1/20/2026)

City personnel, contractors, or mutual aid partners operating UAS for official duties are exempt from this chapter when acting within the scope of employment or under written authorization of the city manager or chief of police.

(Ord. 26-1138, 1/20/2026)

A. Any violation of this chapter shall constitute an infraction punishable by administrative citation or as otherwise authorized by the Municipal Code.

B. Each incident or day of violation constitutes a separate offense.

C. The police chief or designee may revoke, deny and/or suspend a UAS activity permit for cause, based on a preponderance of the evidence standard. A revocation, denial and/or suspension may be appealed by the permittee and/or applicant to the city manager, by filing a written appeal therefrom with the city clerk's office along with any required fee, within 10-calendar days of the date of notice of revocation, denial and/or suspension. The appeal shall be heard by the manager within 30-calendar days, or as soon thereafter as may be practical.

(Ord. 26-1138, 1/20/2026)