Gwinnett County, GA Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

Section 70-45 makes it unlawful to start, fly, or use any fuel-powered, jet-type, or electric-powered model aircraft, drone, boat, rocket, or similar powered toy or model in a county park or recreation facility, except in areas the director designates for that use, and even there, only in accordance with the rules, regulations, and restrictions the director or the director's agent sets. In practice, that means a drone operator needs to confirm a park has a director-designated flying area and check for posted restrictions, such as flight hours or altitude limits, before launching.

Two neighboring sections regulate similar aerial and powered activity but are legally distinct: § 70-44 separately bans fireworks and other pyrotechnics without a written permit, and § 70-46 separately requires a written permit specifically to launch hot air balloons or hobby rockets, so a designated drone-flying area does not authorize either of those other activities. Chapter 70's definitions section (§ 70-1) defines 'vehicle' broadly enough to include a 'child's toy vehicle,' but drones are addressed by name in § 70-45 rather than folded into that general vehicle definition, making the model-aircraft-and-drone rule the specific, controlling provision.

The ban applies across every county park and recreation facility, defined at § 70-1 to include land, buildings, lakes, ponds, sports fields, and cemeteries the county or county recreation authority owns, leases, or manages, and is enforced by any authorized law enforcement officer under § 70-2.