North Hempstead, NY Drone Rules: Commercial Drones (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 57, added October 8, 2024, by Local Law No. 7-2024, regulates unmanned aerial vehicles at Town facilities. Section 57-19(B) states the Town Board's recognition that the Federal Aviation Administration has authority to regulate the use of UAV by public entities as well as UAV used for commercial purposes and that no person shall operate a UAV for commercial purposes without the express permission of the FAA. Layered on top of that federal requirement, § 57-20(A) imposes a Town-level permit rule: no UAV may be taken off/launched from or landed at any Town facility, as defined herein, by any private, commercial, or business person or entity without approval of such use from the Town of North Hempstead, as evidenced by a permit issued by the Town Clerk.

A commercial operator must apply under § 57-24 with the operator's name, address, the activity date, a description of any camera or recording equipment on the UAV, and the operator's FAA registration number, and must carry liability insurance under § 57-25 of at least $1,000,000 general liability and $500,000 to $1,000,000 in bodily injury and property damage coverage. Section 57-22 empowers Department of Public Safety inspectors and police officers to enforce the article and issue appearance tickets to Nassau County District Court. Section 57-23 sets escalating penalties: a fine up to $500 for a first offense, up to $1,000 for a second offense within a year, and up to $1,500 for a third offense within 18 months, or imprisonment, or both.