California Drone Spraying Law

I want to keep my drone spraying clients up to date on recent happenings. On 10/7/23, a new drone spraying law was passed in California.

“(1)Existing law makes it unlawful for any person to operate an aircraft in pest control unless, among other things, the pilot operating the aircraft holds a valid manned or unmanned pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate issued by the Director of Pesticide Regulation. Existing law requires each unmanned pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate to designate the pilot’s status as a journeyman, apprentice, or vector control technician, and requires an applicant for a manned or unmanned pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate to pass an examination as a condition of licensure.This bill would additionally include the status of private applicator as a designation under the unmanned pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate. The bill would prohibit an individual with a private applicator unmanned pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate from applying pesticides except for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity on property owned, leased, or rented by the pilot or their employer. The bill would require a pilot to submit satisfactory documentary proof demonstrating the pilot’s completion of a program accredited by the director and possession of a valid private applicator certificate to be eligible for an unmanned pest control aircraft pilot’s certificate under the status of private applicator, and to pass an examination as a condition of licensure. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. (Based on text date 10/7/2023)

Here is the link. https://ctweb.capitoltrack.com/public/publishbillinfo.aspx?bi=tYpGELwxzg6MBBK8EB%2Fl%2BFI%2F9MVzCIl6gPanfE35EDJN2VZUINrnhz%2FXizNBUZt7

Also, I recently just completed an article on the Section 44807 Blanket COAs which is the Blanket COA used for all 55-pound and heavier spray drones. https://jrupprechtlaw.com/blanket-coa/

By the way, I huge 20,000 word article on drone spraying here!

Jonathan Rupprecht

Aviation Attorney. FAA Certificated Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII). Contributor at Forbes.com for Aerospace and Defense.