Pasadena Municipal Code Ch. 9.45 Unmanned Aircraft Systems

This chapter shall be known as "the drone ordinance" and serves as the city's regulation over unmanned aircraft systems.

(Ord. No. 7303, § 1, 5-22-2017)

For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and phrases are defined in this section, unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended:

A. "Drone" means any unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system that can fly under the control of a remote pilot or by global positioning system guided autopilot mechanism.

B. "Filming permit" shall mean a filming permit issued through section 17.61.090 of this code.

C. "Person" shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, or joint venture.

D. "Special event" shall mean any of the following: (1) any event, parade, exposition, fair or procession staged in or upon public places or sidewalks for which city services are required because of interference with normal vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic or which will reasonably be expected to generate an extraordinary need for sanitation or other city services; (2) any event which has received a permit pursuant to Chapter 3.20 of this code; or (3) any sporting contest, any theatrical or musical performance or any exhibition held in any stadium, auditorium, sports area, playing field, theater, amphitheater, race track, skating rink or similar place pursuant to a valid license agreement, contract or permit which reserves said place for the event.

(Ord. No. 7303, § 1, 5-22-2017)

Unless otherwise permitted under this chapter, persons are prohibited from taking off, operating, or landing a drone in any airspace or area within or over the following areas of the city:

A. Flights over public streets and sidewalks, where a drone is operated in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another, as these terms may be used by applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations, including, but not limited to, 14 CFR Sections 91.13 and/or 107.23;

B. Special event or filming permit locations (during the time period of the special event or filming permit), unless the property owner, event/permit applicant, and police department air operations section have all provided their approval to the special events office, in writing; or

C. Glenarm Power Plant, police and fire stations, city hall, the city yards, water storage and electric transmission facilities, transit operations facilities, and light rail lines, facilities, and stations.

(Ord. No. 7303, § 1, 5-22-2017)

This chapter shall not apply to the use of a drone as follows:

A. By any law enforcement agency for lawful purposes and in a lawful manner.

B. By the city or city-contracted agent/agency engaging in city business, including, but not limited to, surveying and mapping property, inspecting infrastructure, monitoring traffic, and recording local events.

(Ord. No. 7303, § 1, 5-22-2017)

It is unlawful for any person to violate or fail to comply with this chapter. Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as provided in Chapter 1.24 of this code.

(Ord. No. 7303, § 1, 5-22-2017)