California Legal Codes and Statutes

§ 853.5

Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 834, Sec. 2. (SB 807) Effective January 1, 2017.

The following definitions shall apply to this chapter:

(a)“Unmanned aircraft” means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.
(b)“Unmanned aircraft system” means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements, including, but not limited to, communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft that are required for the pilot in command to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.

Cite this section

Cal. Gov. Code § 853.5 (2026)
https://ca.codecond.com/codes/gov/title-1-general/division-3-6-claims-and-actions-against-public-entities-and-public-employees/part-2-liability-of-public-entities-and-public-employees/chapter-4-5-unmanned-aircraft/section-853.5

Other sections in Chapter 4.5 - Unmanned Aircraft

§ 853§ 853.1§ 853.5

This content is for reference, learning, and study purposes only. All legal text should be verified against the official California Legislative Information website, which is the authoritative source for California law. Data last processed: February 15, 2026.