Salt Lake City, UT Drone Rules: Airport Proximity Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 16.10.140
- Approval required from
- Airport Director, written
- Default penalty class
- Class B misdemeanor
- Max fine
- $1,000
- Max jail term
- 6 months
Summary
Flying a drone on or near Salt Lake City's Airport System is prohibited unless the Airport Director gives express written approval in advance, a rule that covers the airport grounds and its controlled properties alike.
No person shall fly any model or remote-controlled airplane, kite, model rocket, balloon, drone, or other airborne device on or near the Airport System or controlled properties without the express written prior approval of the Director.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 16.10.140 bars flying any model or remote-controlled airplane, kite, model rocket, balloon, drone, or other airborne device on or near the Airport System or controlled properties without the Director's prior written sign-off. The Department of Airports administers approvals; there's no separate drone permit form in the code itself, so operators must contact the Director's office before any flight near airport property. This local ban sits on top of, and does not replace, FAA airspace rules for the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Violations & Fines
Violating any codified city ordinance not given its own penalty, including § 16.10.140, is a class B misdemeanor: up to a $1,000 fine, up to 6 months in jail, or both (§ 1.12.050).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone near Salt Lake City International Airport without a permit?
What happens if I fly a drone at the airport without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
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