Chicago, IL Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

Chicago Park District Code Title B, Chapter VII, Section 7.E prohibits the operation of any motorized model aircraft within the boundaries of any Chicago Park District property. The Park District manages 600+ parks, 26 miles of lakefront, and all beaches — making the rule one of the broadest municipal drone prohibitions in the country. Millennium Park, Grant Park, Lincoln Park, Jackson Park, the Lakefront Trail, and Northerly Island all fall under this ban. Separately, Chicago Municipal Code Chapter 10-36 (Unmanned Aircraft) prohibits drone operation within five miles of an airport without FAA authorization, over schools and churches, over private property without permission, and at altitudes that endanger people or property. The FAA preempts national airspace but the Park District and City lawfully regulate use of public property and address safety hazards. O'Hare (KORD) Class B and Midway (KMDW) Class C airspace cover essentially all of Chicago, requiring FAA LAANC. Stadium TFRs apply at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, Guaranteed Rate Field, and the United Center during events.