How To Decipher Signs

The Five Man Electrical Band summed it up well:

Sign, sign / Everywhere a sign / Blockin' out the scenery / Breakin' my mind / Do this, don't do that / Can't you read the sign?

But can you read the sign? We couldn’t. At least not those letters and numbers at the bottom. And who exactly was saying “Do this” and “Don’t do that?” Like a good sign, we’re here to point you in the right direction.

DECIPHERING THE CODE

First, let’s look at some examples of signs we’re referring to:

“LAMC”. “Sec. 14-35.” “#2019-15.” We’ll begin with a brief general introduction to these codes, then we’ll break down that NO DRONE ZONE sign. 

Ordinances & Codes

Let’s start with a definition of terms. 

• Ordinances - The day-to-day laws enacted by local governments. Any individual residing or visiting that local jurisdiction is bound by these laws. (Think of the signs you see at your local park.)
• Codes - A compilation of ordinances. A County Code would be a collection of all the codes in a county; a City Code is an assembly of City laws. (Think of those dark leather-bound volumes at your local lawyer’s office.)
• Municipal Codes and Municipal Ordinances - City-level laws enacted by the local government. We’ll talk more about it soon, but that “No Drone Zone” sign is based on a municipal code.
• Administrative Codes - These focus on the powers and duties of various legal institutions and agencies within the city. Can the Sanitation Dept. replace recycling bins? Can they charge you for a new one? 

Reading A Code

Codes are divided into major categories and subcategories, usually Titles, Chapters, and Articles. 

These are ultimately broken down into numbered Sections, which can be abbreviated as Sec. or §.

Signs will usually include an abbreviation - or citation - for the code and section number. In this sign:

L.A.M.C. 63.44.B.8 refers to section 63.44.B.8 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. 

But let’s break it down. 

(Have your phone on you? Have reception? Then this will be easy. Any time you see a citation on a sign and want to know more, simply enter the code - in its entirety - into Google. You should receive direct links to the specific ordinance. Or find your state here.)

L.A.M.C - The “M.C.” tells us this is a Municipal Code. The letters “L.A.” refer to which municipality—in this case, it’s Los Angeles. 

But why is this a “No Drone Zone”? What counts as a “Drone”? When was this law put into effect? Can I fly a kite? To answer these questions, we look at that string of numbers and letters after the LAMC.

In this example, Section 63.44 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code refers to 

SEC. 63.44. REGULATIONS AFFECTING PARK AND RECREATION AREAS

“B” is:

B. Within the limits of any park or other City-owned Harbor Department designated and controlled property within the City of Los Angeles: (Amended by Ord. No. 174,737, Eff. 9/9/02.)

And “8” tells us:

8. No person shall land, release, take off or fly any balloon, except children toy balloons not inflated with any flammable material, helicopter, parakite, hang glider, aircraft or powered models thereof, except in areas specifically set aside therefor.

See a semi-colon? That means there’s another Municipal Code pertaining to drones. 

Let’s see what Los Angeles Municipal Code 56.31(b)(1) tells us. We follow the same process as above:

SEC. 56.31. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

   (b) The following shall apply to the operation of any Model Aircraft within the City of Los Angeles:

   1. 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.

And that’s how you decipher the codes on a sign. So grab your drone, head to L.A., and find a location that doesn’t fall under L.A.M.C. 63.44.B.8; 56.31(b)(1).

Happy flying.