Southampton, NY Drone Rules: Event Drone Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- No-fly radius
- 2 miles from the event
- No-fly window
- 2 hours before/after the event
- Override authority
- Chief of Police written permission
- FAA rules still apply
- Yes, even with local permission
- First-offense penalty
- Up to $3,000 and/or 1 year jail
Summary
The Town of Southampton bans flying a drone within two miles of a permitted special event, and within two hours before or after it, unless the Chief of Police gives written permission first. The rule sits in the special events chapter, so it reaches every Town-permitted festival, fair, wedding-scale gathering and parade.
§ 283-13. Unmanned aircraft systems. A. It shall be unlawful for any person to take off, land or operate an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system within two miles of and within two hours before or after a special event conducted pursuant to a permit issued under this chapter. B. Exceptions; express written permission required. The takeoff, landing or operation of an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system as proscribed herein may be permitted pursuant to written permission issued by the Chief of Police, or designee, of the Town of Southampton. This permission, when issued, will be subject to all applicable regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Full Breakdown
Section 283-13 of the Town Code, part of Chapter 283 governing special events, makes it unlawful for any person to take off, land or operate an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system within two miles of, and within two hours before or after, a special event conducted under a Chapter 283 permit. The chapter defines unmanned aircraft broadly, any device that navigates the air without an onboard pilot, commonly called a drone, and an unmanned aircraft system as that aircraft plus its control links and components.
The only way around the ban is written permission from the Chief of Police or a designee, and Section 283-13B makes clear that any permission granted still leaves the operator subject to all applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations, so a local sign-off does not substitute for FAA airspace authorization. Because the trigger is any permitted special event, not just Town-run festivals, a private wedding, charity run or fair that has obtained a special event permit under Section 283-2 creates the same two-mile, two-hour no-fly zone for hobbyist drone operators nearby, whether or not they know the permit exists.
Violations & Fines
Flying, launching or landing a drone in violation of Section 283-13 is enforced as a violation of Chapter 283 under the chapter's general penalty section, Section 283-10B. A first offense for sections other than Section 283-3G carries up to one year of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $3,000; a second or subsequent violation within one year carries a fine of $7,500 to $15,000 and up to one year in jail, with each day of continuing violation treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone near a festival in Southampton?
Who can authorize a drone flight near a Southampton special event?
What is the penalty for flying a drone too close to a permitted event in Southampton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Southampton
New York rules heatmap·Compare Southampton to another location·View the New York drone rules overview
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