Information on Drones

An Unmanned Aircraft System, commonly referred to as a drone, is an aircraft without a pilot onboard controlled from an operator on the ground. It is the responsibility of the drone operator to understand and abide by the rules established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the City of Garden Grove.

Federal law requires drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds that are flown outdoors to be registered with the FAA and marked with an FAA-issued registration number. Owners of drones can register their aircraft online at https://registermyuas.faa.gov/. Please note: When operating a drone you must have the FAA registration certificate in your possession. If you fly a drone indoors, you do not need to register your drone. However, when flying in public, as well as in your own yard or over your property, you will need to register your drone with the FAA if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds.

The City of Garden Grove has also established standards and controls on the operation of drones to mitigate risks to persons and property and to protect the public from the hazards associated with their operation; reference Garden Grove Municipal Code, Chapter 8.90, Drones and Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Ordinance No. 2879.

For more information, resources and rules associated with flying drones, please visit the Federal Aviation Administration’s website at https://registermyuas.faa.gov/ and refer to City of Garden Grove Municipal Code, Chapter 8.90, Drones and Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

If you have any questions regarding the operation of drones in the City of Garden Grove, please contact Corporal Pete Arellano at 714-741-5857 or pedroa@ggcity.org. To report an emergency related to the operation of a drone, please contact Garden Grove Police Dispatch at 911 or 714-741-5704.