LAMC 56.31 makes to act of flying drones or other aircrafts near LAX airport a misdemeanor. Drone are defined in the code section as any aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft. Model Aircraft shall mean an Unmanned Aircraft or Unmanned Aircraft System operated by any person strictly for hobby or recreational purposes.

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LAMC 56.31(b) prohibits the following conduct:

No Person shall operate any Model Aircraft within the City of Los Angeles and within 5 miles of an airport without the prior express authorization of the airport air traffic control tower.

No Person shall operate any Model Aircraft within the City of Los Angeles in a manner that interferes with manned aircraft, and shall always give way to any manned aircraft.

No Person shall operate any Model Aircraft within the City of Los Angeles beyond the visual line of sight of the person operating the Model Aircraft. The operator must use his or her own natural vision (which includes vision corrected by standard eyeglasses or contact lenses) to observe the Model Aircraft. People other than the operator may not be used in lieu of the operator for maintaining visual line of sight. Visual line of sight means that the operator has an unobstructed view of the Model Aircraft. The use of vision-enhancing devices, such as binoculars, night vision goggles, powered vision magnifying devices, and goggles or other devices designed to provide a “first-person view” from the model, do not constitute the visual line of sight of the person operating the Model Aircraft.

No Person shall operate any Model Aircraft within the City of Los Angeles other than during daylight hours defined as between official sunrise and official sunset for local time.

No Person shall operate any Model Aircraft within the City of Los Angeles more than 400 feet above the earth’s surface.
Excluding takeoff and landing, no Person shall operate any Model Aircraft within the City of Los Angeles closer than 25 feet to any individual, except the operator or the operator’s helper(s).

Generally, a misdemeanor citation will be issued required the defendant to either appear at LAX Courthouse or 210 West Temple Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. A conviction under LAMC 56.31 as a misdemeanor will affect your criminal record and have adverse effects for employment purposes. If you have been issued a citation for a Notice to Appear for LAC 56.31 in Los Angeles Superior Courthouse, call attorney Arthur Khachatourians. We will attempt reduce your case to an infraction or an informal diversion so that it does not cause adverse consequences on your personal life.