Riverside County Supervisors Consider New Drone Policy to Standardize Safety and Compliance

Riverside County drones, Board of Supervisors, Alondra Campos, FAA regulations, Part 107, drone safety, public safety technology, Riverside County Sheriff, drone policy

Article:
Riverside County leaders are preparing to vote on a proposal that could reshape how local agencies use drones. The plan, known as Policy A76, aims to create consistent rules across all county departments to ensure safety, transparency, and compliance with federal aviation laws.

Drones have become essential tools for several county departments — from search and rescue missions to wildfire surveys and crime scene investigations. But now, officials want to make sure every department is following the same standards.

If approved, the new policy would require each department using drones to draft its own operational guidelines within 60 days. The rules would specify when and how drones can be used, day or night, and require compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations under Part 107. These federal standards govern pilot certification, airspace safety, and equipment maintenance.

Departments would also need to establish training protocols for remote pilots and observers, ensure all operators are properly licensed, and document every drone-related incident.

“We only have one or two helicopters covering a large county, so having drones available gives us quick air support when we need it,” said one county official. “It’s been extremely beneficial for traffic reconstruction, suspect searches, and emergency response.”

County leaders emphasize the proposal isn’t meant to restrict drone use but to create consistency and ensure safe, responsible operations across all agencies.

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