Queen Creek, AZ Drone Rules: Commercial Drones (2026)

Town Code § 9-8-3, in the Recreational Activities section of Article 9-8 (Town Property, Parks, and Recreation), separately addresses commercial drone flights from the recreational-use rule that applies elsewhere in the same section. It is unlawful for any person or organization to use a remote-controlled or self-propelled drone for commercial purposes anywhere on Town property unless the commercial use falls under an existing special event permit or rental permit already issued by the Town, and the drone operator has obtained written permission from the holder of that permit. The section requires the operator to produce the written permit on demand to any Authorized Enforcement Agent, meaning a business cannot simply claim it has permission; it must carry documentation proving it.

Because the rule is keyed to an existing Town-issued special event or rental permit rather than a standalone drone license, a commercial drone operator working on Town property, for example filming a wedding at a Town park pavilion booked under a facility rental, needs the renter's or event holder's written sign-off, not a separate application to a Town drone program. Article 9-8 was adopted by Ordinance 764-21 on September 15, 2021, and last amended by Ordinance 847-24 on October 2, 2024. A violation of § 9-8-3, including flying commercially without the required written permission, is a Civil Offense, the same penalty level as the recreational drone restriction in the same section.