Chicago sits inside Class B controlled airspace centered on O'Hare and Midway. Federal FAA rules preempt local drone regulation, but recreational and commercial pilots must obtain LAANC authorization, comply with Part 107, and avoid CDA-managed airport property.
FAA Part 107 and 49 USC 40103 preempt local drone regulation in navigable airspace. Most of the City of Chicago lies within Class B controlled airspace for ORD and MDW, requiring prior FAA LAANC authorization for any drone flight, including recreational. CDA-managed airport property and CTA right-of-way prohibit drone takeoff or landing. Flights within five miles of either airport require active LAANC clearance and altitude ceilings as low as zero feet near runways. Park District Code Ch. VII layers a separate ban on launches from Park District land. Violations bring FAA civil penalties up to $32,666 per incident plus federal criminal charges for interference with manned aviation under 18 USC 32.
Flying inside Class B airspace without LAANC, near an O'Hare or Midway runway, or interfering with manned aircraft can trigger FAA civil penalties up to $32,666 per incident plus federal criminal charges.
Chicago, IL
Chicago Park District Code 7 prohibits launching, landing, or operating model aircraft and drones on Park District land except in a small number of designate...
Chicago, IL
Chicago regulates recreational drones under MCC 10-36-400, imposing restrictions beyond FAA rules. As the only Illinois city with 1 million+ residents, Chica...
Chicago, IL
Commercial drone operations in Chicago require FAA Part 107 certification and must comply with MCC 10-36-400. Chicago's local restrictions on proximity to in...
See how Chicago's airport proximity rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.