Not legally, for most pilots. The Hollywood Sign stands on Mount Lee inside Griffith Park, and Los Angeles park rules prohibit taking off, landing or flying powered model aircraft in city parks except in areas set aside for it. The surrounding hills are private homes, and Hollywood Burbank Airport is only a few miles north.
Why it's so hard to fly near the sign
Griffith Park rules. Griffith Park is a City of Los Angeles park. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 63.44 B.8 says no one may land, release, take off or fly any aircraft "or powered models thereof" in a city park, except in areas specifically set aside for it. Drones are powered model aircraft, and there's no set-aside drone area at the sign. That covers the trails to the sign and the Griffith Observatory area, and the same rules apply in other city parks such as Lake Hollywood Park.
The LA drone ordinance. Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 56.31 applies citywide. It limits drones to daylight hours and 400 feet, requires you to stay at least 25 feet from people other than your own crew (except during takeoff and landing), give way to manned aircraft, and get the control tower's approval before flying within 5 miles of an airport. Breaking it is a misdemeanor.
Airspace. Hollywood Burbank Airport has Class C airspace, and the Hollywood Hills see heavy helicopter traffic from news, tour and police helicopters. Check B4UFLY or Aloft before any flight, and get LAANC authorization where required.
Private property. The neighborhoods around the sign are residential. You need the owner's permission to take off or land on private land, and California has privacy laws on recording people.
The sign itself. The Hollywood Sign is protected, and the area around it is fenced and monitored. Getting close to it with a drone will draw attention fast.
Does a small drone help?
No. A 135 g DJI Neo or a 249 g DJI Mini 5 Pro is still a powered model aircraft under park rules. Being under 250 g only skips FAA registration for recreational use.
Professional shoots
Film and commercial shoots in Los Angeles go through the city's film permit process. Expect to need a Part 107 certificate, insurance, airspace authorization and permits from the land owner. Hiring a local permitted drone operator is the realistic path for paid work.
How to get the shot legally
- Use a long lens from a distance. Compressing the sign against the hills often looks better than a drone shot anyway.
For the full city rules, read Drone laws in Los Angeles. For more places with special restrictions, see the no-fly zones guide. If you fly elsewhere in the city, the DJI Mini 4 Pro is our pick for a light, quiet drone with full obstacle sensing.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
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