Drone Rules in Chicopee, MA (2026)
5 verified drone rules for Chicopee, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational Drones
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, anyone flying a drone for nonbusiness or noncommercial purposes must follow the operating list in § 186-4(C): FAA registration, flight below 400 feet, constant visual line of sight, no flying over crowds, daylight only, and no weaponized aircraft. The chapter applies only to the extent state and federal law allow, and fines end at $300.
Recreational Drone Rules in Chicopee, Massachusetts
Some RestrictionsChicopee Code § 186-4
C. All operators who use an aircraft and/or drone for nonbusiness or noncommercial purposes shall also comply with the following regulations: (1) Register with the Federal Aviation Administration and maintain proper documentation of the same. (2) As required by federal law, fly below 400 feet at all times. (3) Maintain at all times a visual line of sight of the aircraft and/or drone, as defined...
Commercial Drones
Chicopee's drone chapter draws no separate business tier. In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, § 186-4(A) and (B) bind every drone operator: comply with FAA regulations and launch only from your own private property or land where the owner gave written permission. The longer operating list in § 186-4(C) is written for nonbusiness and noncommercial operators.
Commercial Drone Operators Under Chicopee Chapter 186
Light RestrictionsChicopee Code §§ 186-3, 186-4
This chapter shall be limited to those drones/aircraft that weigh less than 55 pounds and which are flown by a private citizen below 400 feet. ... A. All aircraft and drones shall comply with all regulations as established by the Federal Aviation Administration. ... C. All operators who use an aircraft and/or drone for nonbusiness or noncommercial purposes shall also comply with the following r...
Park Drone Restrictions
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, Chapter 186 of the Code bars any aircraft or drone from operating over property owned or controlled by the City unless the operator first secures written authorization. Takeoff and landing are limited to the operator's own private land or land where the owner gave signed written permission, so a City park launch needs the City's paper too.
Drones in Chicopee Parks and Over City Property
Significant RestrictionsChicopee Code § 186-4
B. A drone and/or aircraft shall only take off and land on private property owned by the operator or where written permission is granted by the landowner. Said written permission shall include the name and signature of the landowner, the address of the property and the permissible dates and hours of operation and shall be in the possession of the drone operator during operation of the drone. .....
Airport Proximity Rules
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, § 186-4(C)(10) says no drone shall be flown within five miles of a civilian or military airport without first contacting the control tower. Chicopee is home to Westover Air Reserve Base, and the Police Department enforces with a fine schedule that runs from a written warning to $300.
Drone Airport Proximity Rule in Chicopee, Massachusetts
Some RestrictionsChicopee Code §§ 186-4, 186-5
(10) No drone shall be flown within five miles of a civilian or military airport without first contacting the control tower before flying. (11) No operator shall operate an aircraft and/or drone in close proximity or near another aircraft. (12) No operator shall operate an aircraft and/or drone in bad weather. ... A. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to the ...
Event Drone Restrictions
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, no operator can fly a drone over a crowd or persons not directly participating in its operation, under Chicopee Code § 186-4(C)(4). Flights over private property need the landowner's prior written permission, and flights over City property need prior written authorization.
Chicopee Drone Rules Over Crowds and Events
Significant RestrictionsChicopee Code § 186-4(C)
C. All operators who use an aircraft and/or drone for nonbusiness or noncommercial purposes shall also comply with the following regulations: ... (4) No operator shall operate an aircraft and/or drone over a crowd or person(s) not directly participating in its operation. ... (8) No aircraft or drone shall operate over private property without the prior written permission from the landowner, whi...