Chicago, IL Drone Rules: Commercial Drones (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- MCC § 10-36-400
- Default use
- Hobby/recreational only
- Commercial flight
- Needs FAA Part 107 license
- Max altitude
- 400 feet above ground
- Penalty range
- $500–$5,000 per offense
Summary
Chicago limits drone flights to hobby use only: commercial operators need FAA Part 107 authorization and must still follow the city's altitude, no-fly zone, and line-of-sight rules.
(b) Operating regulations. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, no person shall operate any small unmanned aircraft in city airspace: (1) except for hobby or recreational purposes only and in conformity with this section... (c)(1) ...nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any person who is authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate a small unmanned aircraft in city air space...pursuant to...a license issued pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 107...from conducting such operations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-74: Current through Council Journal of June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Municipal Code of Chicago § 10-36-400(b)(1), no person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in city airspace except for hobby or recreational purposes. Subsection (c)(1) carves out anyone authorized by the FAA, including holders of a 14 C.F.R. Part 107 commercial drone license, letting them fly commercially, but only in accordance with their federal authorization and applicable municipal requirements. All operators, hobby or commercial, must still obey the section's altitude cap (400 ft), visual-line-of-sight rule, five-mile airport buffer, dusk-to-dawn ban, and no-fly zones around schools, hospitals, and utility infrastructure.
Violations & Fines
Fines of $500 to $5,000 per offense, up to 180 days in jail, and seizure of the drone pending an administrative hearing; each day of continued violation counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone commercially in Chicago?
What happens if I violate Chicago's drone ordinance?
Where can't I fly a drone in Chicago?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chicago
Compare Chicago to another location·View the Illinois drone rules overview
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Commercial Drones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle commercial drones.