Chicopee, MA Drone Rules: Event Drone Restrictions (2026)

Chapter 186 of the Chicopee Code, adopted by the City Council on 6-20-2017 as Ord. No. 17-30, regulates drones and unmanned aircraft systems. Its purpose section ties the rules to privacy, property interests and the safe operation of the Westover Air Reserve Base. Under § 186-3 it applies to drones and aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds that are flown by a private citizen below 400 feet, to the extent state and federal law allow.

The crowd rule is § 186-4(C)(4): no operator shall operate an aircraft or drone over a crowd or person or persons not directly participating in its operation. It sits in the list of rules for operators flying for nonbusiness or noncommercial purposes. The code does not define the word crowd, and the rule protects any person who is not part of the flight.

Several neighboring rules decide whether a flight near an event is lawful at all. Under § 186-4(C)(8), no drone can operate over private property without the landowner's prior written permission, which the operator must carry during the flight. Under (C)(9), no drone can operate over property owned or controlled by the City of Chicopee unless prior written authorization is secured, so a City park or a City-run gathering needs that authorization before takeoff. Section 186-4(B) limits takeoff and landing to private property owned by the operator or property where the landowner gives written permission naming the landowner, address, and permissible dates and hours. Subsection (C)(5) bars flying before sunrise or after sunset, (C)(7) requires prior written permission before photographing or videotaping any person, kept for seven years, and (C)(10) requires contacting the control tower before flying within five miles of a civilian or military airport. Operators must also keep a visual line of sight, fly below 400 feet, and comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.