Chicago Considers Drone Ordinance

Chicago Considers Drone Ordinance

  Tuesday, August 04, 2015    Julie Tappendorf

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Concerns about the use of drones, particularly in connection with personal privacy, have been the subject of many recent news stories. Local governments have begun discussing how they might regulate drones through their land use and registration/licensing authority. Recently, the Chicago City Council introduced an ordinance that would license and regulate drones. 

The proposed ordinance includes, among other provisions, the following:

1. establishes no-drone zones within 5 miles of the city's major airports, schools, hospitals, places of worship, and open-air stadiums;
2. regulates the hours of operation for drones, prohibiting them from 8 pm to 8 am;
3. requires that the operator of the drone be within sight of the drone; 
4. prohibits the use of drones for surveillance, unless authorized by law; 
5. prohibits operation while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; 
6. prohibits arming drones with weapons; and
7. requires the operator to register the drone and provide proof of insurance.

The City Council has not acted on the drone ordinance yet. You can read the ordinance here.