CHAPTER 4.5. Unmanned Aircraft [853. - 853.5.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 4.5.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 853. Section 853.

A local public entity or public employee of a local public entity shall not be liable for any damage to an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system, if the damage was caused while the local public entity or public employee of a local public entity was providing, and the unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system was interfering with, the operation, support, or enabling of any of the following emergency services: (a) Emergency medical services or ambulance transport services, including, but not limited to, air ambulance services. (b) Firefighting or firefighting-related services, including, but not limited to, air services related to firefighting or firefighting-related services. (c) Search and rescue services, including, but not limited to, air search and rescue services.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 853.1. Section 853.1.

The immunity provided by this chapter is in addition to any other immunity provided to a local public entity or public employee of a local public entity under law.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 853.5. Section 853.5.

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.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026