This chapter is intended to promote public safety City-wide and to specifically address the safety of people attending Major Events, as defined. To promote public safety, the City is implementing takeoff and landing restrictions by Unmanned Aircraft Systems as well as flight restrictions over specific areas. This ordinance is intended to operate in conjunction with any applicable existing laws and regulations, including those of the Federal Aviation Administration.
(Ord. 2080, 11/4/2025)
(a) 
“Levi’s® Stadium”
shall mean the multipurpose stadium located on 4900 Marie P. DeBartolo Way, all lots located in the vicinity of such multipurpose stadium that permit patrons of licensed events to park motor vehicles, and all land and improvements thereon located within the immediate vicinity of such multipurpose stadium that are owned and/or operated by the owner of such multipurpose stadium.
(b) 
“Major event”
shall mean any sporting event, concert or other form of entertainment occurring at Levi’s® Stadium; any sporting event, concert or other form of entertainment occurring at Santa Clara University facilities; or any event held in a public park, public streets, or open-air facility that is open to the public, and intended to attract people, with a capacity of more than 1,000 people.
(c) 
“Unmanned Aircraft”
shall mean any device that is intended to navigate in the air without an onboard pilot and any aircraft that is operated without the possibility of human intervention from within or onboard the aircraft. The term "unmanned aircraft" includes any homemade or commercially available device also known as a "drone."
(d) 
“Unmanned Aircraft System”
shall mean any unmanned aircraft and associated elements, including communication links and any components that control the unmanned aircraft or that are required for the pilot in command to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.
(Ord. 2080, 11/4/2025)
(a) 
Takeoffs and Landings. Except as set forth in Section 8.60.040 below, it shall be unlawful for any person to initiate the takeoff or landing of an Unmanned Aircraft or Unmanned Aircraft System:
(1) 
Within a one-mile radius of, and within two hours before or after, a Major Event occurring within the City of Santa Clara, including, but not limited to, parades, outdoor concerts, street dances, festivals, art shows, sporting and recreational events, or large-scale community gatherings; and
(2) 
Within a two-mile radius, and within three hours before or after, any Major Event held at Levi’s® Stadium; and
(3) 
In any City of Santa Clara public park.
(b) 
Flight and Privacy Restrictions. Except as set forth in Section 8.60.040 below, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate an Unmanned Aircraft or Unmanned Aircraft System below 200 feet above ground level (AGL):
(1) 
Over any public or private school facilities during school hours;
(2) 
Over certain types of critical infrastructure including:
(A) 
Emergency services facilities;
(B) 
Energy sector facilities that include electricity, oil, and/or natural gas resources.
(3) 
Over private property in a manner that harasses or violates the privacy rights of individuals present on the private property.
(Ord. 2080, 11/4/2025)
(a) 
This chapter shall not prohibit the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems by any public safety agency or department for lawful purposes and in a lawful manner.
(b) 
The takeoff and landing of an Unmanned Aircraft or Unmanned Aircraft System as proscribed herein may be permitted by the Chief of Police, or designee. The grant of such a permit shall not excuse the permittee from compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in the operation of their Unmanned Aircraft or Unmanned Aircraft System.
(Ord. 2080, 11/4/2025)
Pursuant to SCCC § 1.05.070 and Chapter 8.45 SCCC, the City, in its prosecutorial discretion, may enforce violation(s) of the provisions of this chapter as a criminal, civil, and/or administrative action. Violators may be guilty of a misdemeanor. Equipment flown in violation of this chapter may be confiscated.
(Ord. 2080, 11/4/2025)