REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2080 Amending Chapter 8.60 ("Unmanned Aircraft System") of Title 8 ("Health and Safety") of the Code of the City of Santa Clara, California.
Report
BACKGROUND
At the October 21, 2025, Council meeting, proposed Ordinance No. 2080 was passed for the purpose of publication. Pursuant to City Charter Sections 808 and 812, a summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2080 was published in the Santa Clara Weekly on October 29, 2025, and copies were posted in three public places.
DISCUSSION
The proposed ordinance amends Chapter 8.60 of the Santa Clara City Code to update the City's local regulation of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly referred to as "drones."
The original ordinance, enacted in 2015, included a one-half mile flight restriction around certain events within the City and imposed drone design limitations. Since 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued updated guidance relating to the scope of federal regulation and federal preemption of municipal ordinances. Furthermore, drone technology has advanced such that commercially available drones have increased battery life allowing flight over longer distances and more advanced camera capability.
In order to address changes to the regulatory needs and advances in technology, the updates to the ordinance include the following: new defined terms; increase of the "launch and land" prohibited radius around Major Events from one-half mile to one mile or two miles, depending on the event location; prohibition of "launch and land" from public parks; prohibition of flight over schools and critical infrastructure; and, all prohibitions are subject to permitted exemption at the discretion of the Chief of Police or designee.
Updating the City Code addresses advancements in drone technology, enhances clarity, and aligns with FAA regulations to avoid preemption, ensuring local regulations remain effective and enforceable.
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