How Roswell Handles Drone Rules: A Practical Guide

Roswell maintains 130 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with drone rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Roswell falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Recreational Drones

Roswell, Georgia does not set its own airspace or flight rules for recreational drones; Code of Ordinances Section 13.1.14(c) instead makes it 'unlawful within the City of Roswell to operate an unmanned aircraft in violation of the Federal Aviation Administration restrictions.' The city separately bans launching or landing on city property without authorization.

Key details: Local rule: Ties to FAA restrictions, sets none of its own. Ordinance: Section 13.1.14(c), Ord. No. 2019-12-35. Excludes: Satellites. Separate ban: No launch/landing on city property (13.1.14(d)). Max penalty: $2,000 fine or 180 days jail.

Operating a drone in violation of FAA restrictions inside the City of Roswell is a municipal offense under Section 13.1.14(c), punished like other Code violations under the general penalty, Section 1.1.3: up to $2,000.00 in fines, up to 180 days' imprisonment, up to 180 days of community service, or a combination, with each day of continuing violation charged separately. Federal FAA enforcement can proceed independently of any city citation.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Roswell gives residents more flexibility on recreational drones.

Park Drone Restrictions

Roswell, Georgia bars anyone from launching or intentionally landing a drone on city-owned, leased or possessed property, including parks, unless authorized, under Code of Ordinances Section 13.1.14(d). The rule covers any unmanned, remotely piloted or autonomous aerial vehicle that provides its own lift and excludes only satellites.

Key details: Rule: No drone launch/landing on city property. Covers: Parks and all city-owned/leased land. Exception: Prior city authorization. Excludes: Satellites are not 'unmanned aircraft'. Added: Ord. No. 2019-12-35, Dec. 9, 2019.

Launching or landing a drone on city park land, historic sites or other city property without authorization has no dedicated fine in Section 13.1.14, so it is punished under the Code's general penalty, Section 1.1.3: a fine up to $2,000.00, up to 180 days' imprisonment, up to 180 days of community service, or a combination, at the municipal court's discretion, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Roswell actively enforces its park drone restrictions requirements.

The Bottom Line

Roswell's drone rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Roswell is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Roswell can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.