San Francisco Restricts Drone Testing by DoorDash in Mission District PDR Zones Following New Legislation

The skies of the Mission District will stay relatively clear of DoorDash's delivery drones for now, as recent legislation has set new rules for conducting them outdoor research and development. As reported by Mission Local, the San Francisco Planning Commission now requires DoorDash—or any company—to secure a permit before conducting any exterior drone tests within San Francisco's Production, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) zones.

These new strictures follow a unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors after Supervisor Jackie Fielder, according to The Daily Journal, said the legislation was partially spurred by DoorDash's activities. The company had been testing drones at its office on Folsom Street, in an area intended to preserve diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and working-class employment.

Despite a heated online debate, voiced by several tech executives and stakeholders, the in-person perspective at the Land Use committee meeting was quite different. In a statement obtained by Mission Local, every public comment addressed during the discussion backed the new legislation. Tony Delorio, principal officer for the Teamsters Union Local 665, expressed concerns over the invasion of privacy and safety that unregulated delivery drones could pose, describing them as "not welcome."

The conditional use authorization is now essential for any company hoping to test in the district’s outdoor spaces. While DoorDash did not immediately reply to requests for comment, a previous statement from a spokesperson indicated the company’s intention to continue serving as a hub for San Francisco’s economic recovery and innovation, as noted by The Daily Journal. Meanwhile, the Planning Department has been tasked with conducting a study to evaluate the current uses of PDR spaces and ensure they align with the city's planning goals.