Fresno, California Drone Laws

Overview

Fresno is located in California. Drone operations are governed by federal FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 107) and may be subject to state and local ordinances.

State Regulations & Statutes

California has no statewide drone licensing requirement. Drone operations are governed by federal 14 CFR Part 107 for commercial use and FAA recreational rules for hobbyists. California Penal Code § 647(j)(1) prohibits using a drone to invade privacy. Cal. Penal Code § 402 prohibits interfering with emergency response. Cal. Fish and Game Code § 4700 prohibits harassing wildlife. California Code of Regulations Title 14 § 4000+ prohibits drone use in state parks without a permit. Fresno's position at the gateway to the Sierra Nevada means many drone pilots use the city as a base for flights near Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks — both of which strictly prohibit drones under NPS regulations (36 CFR § 2.17).

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• 14 CFR Part 107 governs all commercial drone operations statewide
• California Penal Code § 647(j)(1) — drone surveillance/privacy invasion is a misdemeanor
• California Penal Code § 402 — interfering with emergency response is prohibited
• California Fish and Game Code § 4700 — harassing wildlife with a drone is illegal
• California Code of Regulations Title 14 § 4000+ — drones prohibited in California State Parks without permit
• KFAT Class C airspace requires LAANC authorization for drone operations
• Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks (nearby): NPS prohibits drones under 36 CFR § 2.17 — no exceptions without NPS Special Use Permit
• Sierra National Forest: US Forest Service may require Special Use Permit for drone operations
• No state-specific drone license required beyond FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

Permits & Registration

Commercial: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required. Recreational: Register drone at registerdrone.faa.gov if over 0.55 lbs. LAANC authorization via Aloft or SkyVector required for KFAT Class C and KFNO Class D airspace. Sierra National Forest drone operations may require a Special Use Permit from the US Forest Service (USFS). NPS Special Use Permit required for Kings Canyon and Sequoia NP.

Official Statute Links

• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/
• https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml
• https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=647.
• https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FGC§ionNum=4700.

Local Ordinances

Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 12 (Parks) and general public safety ordinances govern drone operations in city limits. Drones are prohibited in all Fresno city parks without a Special Event Permit from the City of Fresno Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department. Roeding Park, Woodward Park, and Shinzen Japanese Friendship Garden all prohibit drone operations. The Fresno Chaffee Zoo (located within Roeding Park) prohibits drones due to animal welfare concerns. Fresno's large agricultural periphery requires coordination with landowners and awareness of crop-dusting aircraft and agricultural aviation activity.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• Fresno Municipal Code § 12.01: Drones prohibited in all city parks without a Special Event Permit from PARCS
• Roeding Park: Drones prohibited — city park; Fresno Chaffee Zoo within the park also prohibits drones
• Woodward Park: Drones prohibited without city permit
• Shinzen Japanese Friendship Garden: Drones prohibited
• Fresno Convention Center / SaveMart Center: TFRs may apply during major events
• KFAT Class C airspace: LAANC authorization required for drone operations within approximately 5 nm of Fresno Yosemite International Airport
• KFNO (Fresno Executive) Class D airspace: LAANC required
• Kings Canyon National Park / Sequoia National Park: NPS managed — drones prohibited (36 CFR § 2.17) — no-fly regardless of FAA airspace authorization
• Sierra National Forest: USFS may require Special Use Permit for commercial drone operations
• Agricultural areas: Coordination required with landowners; be aware of low-flying crop duster aircraft (common in the San Joaquin Valley)
• Active CalFire / wildfire areas: Prohibited per CA Penal Code § 402 and FAA TFRs — Fresno County experiences significant wildfire activity in summer

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: City of Fresno PARCS Department — Special Events: (559) 621-2489, www.fresno.gov/parcs

Nearby Airports & Airspace

Airspace restrictions apply near airports. Always check B4UFLY and LAANC before flying.

Local Flying Guide

Always verify conditions with local authorities and property owners before flight.

Potential Safe Flying Locations

• Open private agricultural land in Fresno County with landowner permission and outside Class C/D airspace footprint
• Millerton Lake State Recreation Area (northeast of Fresno) — California State Parks permit required for drone operations (14 CCR § 4000+)
• Lost Lake Park (Clovis area) — contact Fresno County Parks for drone permit requirements
• Undeveloped foothills east of Clovis along the Sierra Nevada foothills (verify airspace and land ownership)
• Designated AMA flying sites in the Central Valley — check the AMA club finder for current Fresno-area authorized sites
• Private rural property south/west of Fresno (Kings County area) with owner permission

Areas to Avoid

• KFAT Class C airspace — most of central/north Fresno; LAANC required
• KFCH Class D airspace — central Fresno area near Chandler Executive Airport
• All City of Fresno parks — prohibited without special event permit
• Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks — prohibited without NPS Special Use Permit
• Sierra National Forest — USFS Special Use Permit may be required for commercial operations
• Fresno Chaffee Zoo (within Roeding Park) — prohibited
• Active wildfire areas in Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains — prohibited; high fire season June–November
• California State University Fresno (Fresno State) campus vicinity — private/quasi-public property restrictions
• Agricultural aviation corridors — be aware of low-flying crop duster aircraft throughout the San Joaquin Valley

Weather Considerations

Fresno has a hot, dry climate with extreme summers. Summer highs exceed 100°F (occasionally 110°F), creating intense thermal activity that makes afternoon drone flight unsafe from June through September. Valley Fog (tule fog) is a serious winter hazard December through February, with near-zero visibility for days at a time. Spring (March–May) brings pleasant temperatures but occasional strong winds. Fall (October–November) is the optimal flying season. Heat significantly degrades battery performance in summer. Monitor NWS Hanford (forecast.weather.gov/office/HNX) and KFAT METARs.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: October and November — temperatures 60-80°F, clear skies, light winds, excellent visibility. March through May also good. AVOID: June through September afternoons (extreme heat — 100°F+, strong thermals, battery degradation), December through February (tule fog). Summer: fly only before 8 AM before thermals build. Always check for active wildfire TFRs in the Sierra foothills during fire season.

Compliance Checklist

• ✓ Federal FAA Part 107 or recreational exemption
• ✓ California state regulations
• ✓ Fresno local ordinances
• ✓ B4UFLY airspace check
• ✓ LAANC authorization if in controlled airspace
• ✓ Property owner permission
• ✓ Weather safety