Chapter 5.116
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
Sections:
5.116.010 Purpose and intent.
This chapter is intended to promote public safety, protect people engaging in public events, and to control the activity below the navigable airspace over and within one-half (1/2) mile of government facilities. All restrictions are intended to protect persons gathered in groups where risk of injury is high due to a greater number of people gathered in a close proximity. This chapter is not intended to preempt FAA rules, but to operate in conjunction with those rules to promote public safety while recognizing the limitations in the FAA’s regulations and enforcement capabilities. (Ord. 8-18 § 3 (part): Ord. 5-18 § 3 (part))
5.116.020 Definitions.
“City-sponsored event” means an event as defined in Section 5.56.040.
“Government facilities” means property owned and occupied by the United States of America (or any of its agencies), the state of California (or any of its agencies), the county of Alameda, the city of Dublin, the Dublin San Ramon Services District, and the Dublin Unified School District. Government facilities specifically includes parks, as defined in Section 5.100.020, the Santa Rita Jail, the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin, and Parks Reserve Forces Training Area.
“Unmanned aircraft systems” means drones and other unmanned aircraft that fly under the control of a remote pilot, first person view, or via a global positioning system guided autopilot mode. (Ord. 8-18 § 3 (part): Ord. 5-18 § 3 (part))
5.116.030 Restrictions.
A. Unless otherwise exempt under this chapter, it is unlawful for a person to:
1. Deploy or launch an unmanned aircraft system within one-half (1/2) mile of government facilities and city-sponsored events.
2. Fly or operate an unmanned aircraft system in the airspace outside of the navigable airspace, as defined by federal law, that is within a one-half (1/2) mile radius of government facilities and city-sponsored events.
3. Operate an unmanned aircraft system without registering with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), where required by federal law or regulation.
4. Operate an unmanned aircraft in a manner that is prohibited by federal law or regulations. (Ord. 8-18 § 3 (part): Ord. 5-18 § 3 (part))
5.116.040 Exemptions.
This chapter shall not prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft systems by the city, Dublin San Ramon Services District, Dublin Unified School District, or designee, and any law enforcement agency for an otherwise lawful purpose and in a lawful manner. (Ord. 8-18 § 3 (part): Ord. 5-18 § 3 (part))
5.116.050 Violation—Penalty.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction, and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable as provided in the city has the authority to cite an infraction as provided in Section 1.04.030, Violations as misdemeanors or infractions—Penalties. (Ord. 8-18 § 3 (part): Ord. 5-18 § 3 (part))