Ottawa County, MI Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners restricts drone flying only on land the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission owns and operates as parks and open space, through the Sports, Games, and Hobbies section of the Rules and Regulations in Parks ordinance. 16(a)(iii) provides that no person on Commission Park Property shall use or operate any remote-controlled airplane, helicopter, drone, car, boat, or similar device unless prior written permission is obtained from the Commission or its Agent. 16(a)(iv), applies the same prior-written-permission requirement to launching, landing, or otherwise operating hot air balloons, parachutes, hang gliders, and similar conveyances.

3(g) as a park permit or a note, email, or letter signed by the Commission chairperson or an agent, granted for special circumstances or the benefit of the parks. 2 extends a parallel rule to county-administered open space land outside the developed park system. Ottawa County has no drone ordinance covering private property, airspace generally, or land outside the Commission's park and open-space holdings; drone use there is governed by FAA rules and by any ordinance the city or township with jurisdiction has adopted. 18(a)(i).