Sonoma Municipal Code Ch. 7.42 Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations to maintain the quality of life of residents, businesses, property owners, and visitors through regulation of unmanned aircraft systems within city limits. (Ord. 09-2025 § 1 (Exh. B), 2025).

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth below, unless another or different meaning is clearly intended from the context in which the phrase or words are used:

“Drone” or “UAS” refers to any civil small unmanned aircraft system as those terms are used in CFR Title 14, Part 107.

“FAA” means the Federal Aviation Administration.

“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, joint venture, or other legal entity including those defined in SMC 1.28.020.

“Public safety event” means an event, condition, or situation that has caused, or may cause, injury to persons or damage to property including, but not limited to, conditions of emergency as defined in Government Code Section 8558, law enforcement operations, emergency medical or fire responses, search and rescue operations, and natural disasters.

“Public UAS” means a UAS that is used or operated by any government agency under 49 U.S.C. Section 40102.

“UAS operator” means both a “remote pilot in command” and/or a “visual observer” as defined in 14 CFR Sections 107.12, 107.19, and 107.33.

“Visual line of sight” means that the operator has an unobstructed view of the UAS, unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, as that term is used in 14 CFR Part 107, Section 107.31. (Ord. 09-2025 § 1 (Exh. B), 2025).

A. No person shall take off or land a UAS outside of the person’s visual line of sight.

B. No person shall take off or land a UAS within 25 feet of another individual, except the UAS operator, unless granted written permission by the city, including without limitation pursuant to Chapter 7.40 SMC, Permits for Commercial Photography, Filming, and Recording.

C. No person shall take off or land a UAS on private property without the consent of the property owner.

D. No person shall take off or land a UAS within the visual line of sight of permitted public events unless granted written permission by the city.

E. No person shall take off or land a UAS within 1,500 horizontal feet of any aircraft.

F. No person shall take off or land a UAS that has any type of weapon attached to it.

G. No person shall take off or land a UAS within the visual line of sight of any emergency vehicle that is operating with lights and/or sirens.

H. No person shall take off or land a UAS within 500 feet of any active law enforcement or emergency response incident.

I. No person shall be located within the visual line of sight of any of the following while conducting drone operations:

1. An event sponsored by the city and open to the general public;

2. An event for which a special event permit has been issued or is otherwise subject to the city’s special events policy;

3. A law enforcement or emergency response vehicle that is operating with lights and/or sirens; or

4. A public safety event.

J. No person shall take off or land a UAS in violation of any temporary flight restriction or notice to airmen issued by the FAA.

K. No person shall take off or land a UAS within 100 feet of a school facility without prior notification and authorization of school officials.

L. No person shall take off or land a UAS within 500 feet of any county or city owned jails, holding facilities, law enforcement facility, or within 100 feet of any designated publicly owned building chosen by the city.

M. In addition to the specific requirements set forth above, the city directs and delegates to its city manager the authority to develop rules for the operation of unmanned aircraft within the city limits, consistent with this chapter. The city manager must publish such rules on the city’s website. (Ord. 09-2025 § 1 (Exh. B), 2025).

No person shall take off or land a UAS in a reckless manner so as to create a substantial risk of serious physical injury to any person or substantial risk of damage to the property of another. The standard for what constitutes reckless operation under this section shall be the same as the standard set forth in any federal statutes or regulations governing aeronautics including but not limited to Federal Aviation Rule 91.13. (Ord. 09-2025 § 1 (Exh. B), 2025).

This chapter shall not apply to any publicly owned UAS that is operated by the city, or by any other public agency for government related purposes in compliance with all federal laws and regulations and operated in compliance with city policies. (Ord. 09-2025 § 1 (Exh. B), 2025).

Any person who uses a drone for a filming activity, as provided in SMC 7.40.020, shall obtain a film permit as required by Chapter 7.40 SMC. (Ord. 09-2025 § 1 (Exh. B), 2025).

A. Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor and punishable as provided in SMC 1.12.010(B).

B. All violations of 14 CFR Parts 101 and 107 will be reported to the FAA. (Ord. 09-2025 § 1 (Exh. B), 2025).