Tinley Park's Drone Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles drone rules a little differently. In Tinley Park, Illinois, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Park Drone Restrictions

Village Code § 133.04(B)(6) bars operating or flying drones anywhere in Harmony Square, the 1.6-acre downtown plaza at 6700 North Street, unless the Village of Tinley Park has approved the flight.

Key details: Governing section: Village Code § 133.04(B)(6). Location: Harmony Square, 6700 North St.. Fine range: $50 to $750 per offense. Adopted: Ord. 2025-O-027, Aug. 19, 2025. Exception: Village-approved drone flights allowed.

Section 133.99(D), added by the same Ord. 2025-O-027, sets the penalty for any violation of § 133.04 at not less than $50 but no more than $750 for each separate offense.

Commercial Drones

Tinley Park's only drone-specific rule bans operating or flying drones anywhere in Harmony Square, the Village's 1.6-acre plaza at 6700 North Street, unless the Village approves the flight in advance. The prohibition sits inside § 133.04's broader list of banned Harmony Square activities and carries its own daily fine.

Key details: Where it applies: Harmony Square, 6700 North St. only. Rule: No drone flight without Village approval. Fine: $50 to $750 per offense. Adopted: Ord. 2025-O-027, passed 8-19-25. Plaza hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Violating any part of § 133.04, including the drone provision, carries a fine of not less than $50 but no more than $750 for each separate offense under § 133.99(D). Because the Harmony Square rules apply per-incident, flying a drone there without Village approval on multiple occasions can draw a separate citation each time.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Tinley Park actively enforces its commercial drones requirements.

The Bottom Line

Tinley Park'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 Tinley Park is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Tinley Park's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.