CONNECT with the CityCommercial Use
The commercial use of drones is the operation for non-hobby or non-recreational purposes.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) considers drone usage beyond recreational purposes and personal enjoyment as a commercial flight. Commercial drone usage includes any non-recreational drone flying, including photos to help sell a property or service, roof inspections, or taking pictures of a high school football game for the school's website. Goodwill can also be considered non-recreational. Commercial drone usage would also include things like volunteering to use your drone to survey coastlines on behalf of a non-profit organization.
Examples of commercial use include:
- Crop/Wildlife monitoring
- Research
- Academic use
- Social Media (if sponsored/monitized content)
- Power or any overhead line inspection
- Antenna inspection
- Aerial photography for business
- Real estate
- Construction
- Film production
- Private security
If you are unsure if you are a commercial drone operator, visit What Kind of Drone Flyer Are You on the FAA website to assist you.
Before You Fly
- Be 16 years old or more and able to read, write, understand English.
- Obtain a Part 107 Certification, or “Remote Pilot Certificate,” from the FAA.
- Register your drone with the FAA.
- Download the FAA’s approved applications. These applications provide situational awareness to drone users to see restricted areas.
- Understand FAA Part 107 rules and regulations.
- For special events and filming, you must contact the City’s Special Events & Filming Department and obtain the necessary permits and authorizations.
- You are responsible for contacting the City’s Park and Recreation Department to determine if your flight path interferes with environmentally protected and sensitive areas.
- Understand the San Diego Municipal Code regarding Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
- Understand you are ultimately responsible for your drone and its safe operation.
General Rules
- Follow all FAA rules, regulations, restrictions, and all applicable Federal, State, and Local laws.
- Do not fly in a careless or reckless manner as to endanger life, property, animals, or environmentally sensitive or protected areas.
- Do not fly in a manner that interferes with law enforcement, firefighting, or any other government emergency operations.
- The City of San Diego discourages drone flights over critical infrastructure such as airports, water and sewer treatment plants, military bases, power stations, police and fire stations, hospitals, fuel, gas, and battery storage facilities, and other restricted areas identified by the FAA.
Resources
Links for Federal, State and Local Regulations
