Cedar Park, TX Drone Rules: Event Drone Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Parks and Recreation Director
- ETJ buffer
- 5,000 feet
- Permits per event
- Capped at 10
- Application deadline
- 14 days before event
Summary
Flying a drone over or from a permitted special event within Cedar Park -- or in its extraterritorial jurisdiction -- is unlawful without a city permit, under a nuisance ordinance the City Council enacted in 2017.
It shall be unlawful for any person to deploy, launch, fly, or otherwise operate an unmanned aircraft system from or over the location of a special event held within the City limits or in the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction within 5,000 feet thereof for the duration of the event without a valid permit issued pursuant to section 8.11.003.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4973212; v14 updated 2026-06-25).
Full Breakdown
Cedar Park makes it a nuisance to deploy, launch, fly, or otherwise operate an unmanned aircraft system from or over the location of a special event (as defined by Texas Government Code 423.009) held within city limits, or within 5,000 feet of one in the city's ETJ, for the event's duration, without a valid permit from the Director of Parks and Recreation. Permits are capped at ten per event and applications must be filed at least 14 days before the event.
Violations & Fines
Violation is a class C misdemeanor; each day the violation continues is a separate offense, fined per the general penalty schedule in section 1.01.009.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly my drone near a Cedar Park festival without a permit?
Who is exempt from Cedar Park's special-event drone permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cedar Park
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Cedar Park to another location·View the Texas drone rules overview
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