Bothell, WA Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

Bothell's park rules do not carry a separate drone section. They reach drones through a definition. BMC 8.60.020(A) states that "aircraft" means any machine or device designed to travel through the air, including but not limited to airplanes, helicopters, drones and balloons. BMC § 8.60.320(A) then provides that no aircraft shall land on or take off from any body of water or land area in a Bothell park not specifically designated for that use. For a drone pilot in the City of Bothell, that means launching and landing a drone anywhere in a city park is prohibited unless the spot has been designated for aircraft.

The next subsection, § 8.60.320(B), adds that no person shall fly or land hot air balloons in any Bothell park unless authorized to do so by the department. A neighboring section, BMC 8.60.330, requires written permission from the parks and recreation director or the director's designee before any person operates model aircraft or rockets within any Bothell park. The code does not state whether a drone counts as a model aircraft, so a pilot with a hobby aircraft questions can ask the parks and recreation department directly. BMC 8.60.340 bars possessing or discharging fireworks or explosives in a park without department authorization.

The park rules apply to every area under the control of the city of Bothell parks and recreation department under BMC 8.60.020(D). Parks close 30 minutes after sunset and open 30 minutes before sunrise under BMC 8.60.030, so a pilot on park property after closing needs written permission from the director. Under BMC 8.60.390, the Bothell Police Department and parks staff both oversee park safety, citations come only from commissioned personnel, and the primary method is voluntary compliance.