Georgetown, KY Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

Georgetown's unmanned aircraft rules sit in Chapter 28, Article IV, and section 28-92 is the location rule. Subsection (a) prohibits causing an unmanned aircraft to launch or land within 500 feet of a park. The rule is written in terms of where the aircraft launches or lands. Section 28-91 defines a park as any area officially designated by Georgetown-Scott County Parks and Recreation (GSCRC) as a park and posted as such, so the buffer attaches to designated, posted parks.

Subsection (a) also carries a permission path. The director of Georgetown-Scott County Parks and Recreation, or the director's designee, can by posting permit the operation of model aircraft in certain designated sections of a park, and operation must be limited to the type and manner indicated on the posting. Section 28-91 defines model aircraft as an unmanned aircraft flown within visual line of sight of the operator for hobby or recreational purposes only.

Two companion buffers sit in the same section. Subsection (b) applies 500 feet to any pre-school, elementary, middle or high school, public or private, and treats permission of the school's administration or an authorized faculty member as an affirmative defense. Subsection (c) applies 500 feet to any enclosed building owned or operated by the city, including city hall, police departments, and fire stations.

Section 28-93 adds two affirmative defenses to actions under the article: operation at the direction of a governmental agency, such that the aircraft is considered a public aircraft, and proof of authorization by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate unmanned aircraft in city air space in accordance with federal law. Section 28-96(c) makes any unmanned aircraft system operated in violation of the article contraband subject to seizure.