More Code Compliance Services

GENERAL INFORMATION

An Unmanned Aircraft System (“UAS”) is an unmanned aircraft (“UA”), commonly referred to as a drone, and the equipment necessary for the safe and efficient operation of that aircraft. A UA is a component of a UAS. It is defined by statute as an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft (Public Law 112-95, Section 331(8)). It is the responsibility of the drone operator to understand and abide by the rules established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  For more information, resources and rules associated with flying UA, please visit the FAA’s website at https://www.faa.gov/uas/.

The City of San Clemente has adopted a local ordinance to establish regulations regarding the reasonable time, place, and manner of UA operations.  These regulations are located in Title 8 of the San Clemente Municipal Code (SCMC), Chapter 8.82 - Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the operation of drones in the City of San Clemente, please e-mail our Code Compliance team at CodeCompliance@san-clemente.org or contact Danielle Sorahan, Code Compliance Manager at (949) 361-6191 or via e-mail at sorahand@san-clemente.org.

To submit a complaint about the use of drones in the City, please call (949) 366-4705 or submit your complaint online at www.san-clemente.org/complaints.

To report an emergency related to the operation of a drone, please contact San Clemente Police Services at 911 or their non-emergency dispatch line at (949) 770-6011.

NO-FLY ZONE INFORMATION

In addition to other regulations governing the operations of UA in the City of San Clemente, SCMC Section 8.82.050(E) [Reasonable Time, Place, Manner], requires that “No person shall takeoff, land, or operate a UA within 500 feet of any county or city owned jails, holding facilities, law enforcement facility, or within 500 feet of any designated publicly owned building chosen by the city….”  The list of buildings that have been designated for inclusion on the “no-fly zone” list of publicly-owned buildings is available at the following link:

No-Fly Zone List of Publicly-Owned Buildings

Along with other requirements for operating UA over privately-owned property, SCMC Section 8.82.050(D) [Reasonable Time, Place, Manner], requires that “No person shall takeoff, land, or operate a UA within 500 feet of a school facility without prior notification and authorization of school officials. When authorization to operate a UA is required to takeoff, land, or operate a UA on or over a school facility, UA operators must have on their possession a copy of the written or electronic authorization from the school's administration while they takeoff, land, or operate a UA within 500 feet of the school.”

A map showing the No-Fly Zones and the School-authorization required areas is available at the following link:

No-Fly Zone Areas

Leaf Blower Operations

General Information

The use of gas leaf blowers is prohibited [except when operated by City contractors for the term of contracts existing on September 7, 2021]. For more information, resources and rules associated with gas leaf blowers, please visit San Clemente Municipal Code ordinance Title 8, Chapter 8.50.

The City of San Clemente has adopted a local ordinance to establish regulations to establish leaf blower standards that reduce noise levels and exhaust of greenhouse gas emissions with the intent to improve quality of life and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and natural environment.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the operation of leaf blowers in the City of San Clemente, please contact Brett Pollard, Senior Code Compliance Officer, at (949) 361-6177 or pollardb@san-clemente.org. To submit a complaint about the use of leaf blowers in the City, please call (949) 366-4705 or visit www.san-clemente.org/complaints to submit a complaint online. To report an emergency related to the operation of a leaf blower, please contact San Clemente Police Services at 911 or their non-emergency dispatch line at (949) 770-6011.

Permitted Use of Electric Leaf Blowers

Electric leaf blowers may be used in compliance with the following:

• Sound Rating Certification. Leaf blower models shall be used that are category 1 rated by American National Standards Institute ("ANSI") or an outside laboratory (e.g., Underwriters Laboratory) that confirm manufacturers of leaf blower models produce a maximum sound rating of 65 dB(A) measured 50 feet from the noise source (ANSI standard B175.2).

• Operating Hours. Leaf blowers may be operated Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, Sunday, and City-recognized holidays between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Outside these time periods, leaf blowers must comply with noise restrictions in Municipal Code Chapter 8.48, Noise Control.

• Dust and Debris Control. No person shall use a leaf blower to deposit dirt, dust, leaves, grass clippings, trimmings, green waste, solid waste, or other debris onto a neighboring property or into a street, sidewalk, gutter, or storm drain.

• Required Use of Mufflers and Blower Tubes. Leaf blowers shall be operated with the attachment of mufflers and full extension blower tubes supplied by the leaf blower manufacturer.

 
Information required on commercial operated electric leaf blowers.

To facilitate enforcement of this chapter, commercial operators shall affix or write business information on leaf blowers operated in the City of San Clemente. The information shall include the operator's: 1) business name, 2) address, 3) telephone number, and 4) City-issued business license number.

Sky lanterns have become increasingly popular as a way to celebrate. However, they pose a serious fire safety hazard and their use is prohibited by the City of San Clemente Municipal Code Section 8.16.050.The lanterns are made of oiled rice paper with a bamboo frame, materials that can easily catch on fire.   A candle or wax fuel cell is used with the device.  The lit flame heats the inside of the lantern, causing it to rise into the air.  Once lit and airborne, it can travel over a mile in distance.  Wind can affect the sky lantern, blowing the sides, forcing the hot air out  and sending the flaming lantern back to the ground.  These lanterns have the potential to cause fires.  A flaming lantern can drop onto a rooftop, field, trees or power lines before the flame is fully extinguished. A destructive fire can result when a flaming lantern reaches the ground during dry conditions.  Sky lanterns should not be used  under any circumstances.

In April of every year the City will mail each property owner of undeveloped property a notice of the annual weed abatement hearing, and an order to abate their property of weeds and debris no later than May 15th. The property needs to be cleared of weeds and debris, and kept in this manner throughout the year. Weeds need to be cut to 1" or lower.

If a property owner does not clear their vacant parcel by May 15, the City Weed Abatement Contractor will clear the property between May 15 and July 1. The property owner will then be billed the amount the City pays for clearing, and an appropriate administrative fee. The intent of the program is to limit fire hazard and mitigate nuisance.

If a property owner chooses not to pay his bill a report is made to City Council with a resolution that authorizes the charges to be sent to the County Assessor as a special assessment lien against the property. This resolution is then sent to the County in August.