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Baltimore County, MD Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Rule-setting authority
Recreation and Parks Director
Legal basis
BCZR-independent, Code § 30-1-202(e)
Exclusion appeal window
15 days, in writing
Max penalty for violating exclusion
$1,000 fine / 90 days jail

Summary

Baltimore County lets the Recreation and Parks Director set unmanned aircraft system policies for county parks, so long as those rules do not conflict with federal or state drone law.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Baltimore County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(e)Unmanned aircraft system policies. The Director may develop policies for the operation of unmanned aircraft systems with the parks that are not inconsistent with the requirements of federal and state law.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29 | Zoning Regulations: Supplement 10).

Full Breakdown

" The provision sits inside § 30-1-202, "Authority of Director to Close or Restrict Use of Park," the same section that lets the Director close parks for construction or hazards, restrict activities by age group or use, and limit vehicles not registered under state vehicle law. That placement matters: drone rules in Baltimore County are administrative policy set by the Director rather than a fixed statutory limit written into the code itself, meaning the specific rules (where flights are allowed, launch/landing zones, permitted hours) come from Department-issued policy and posted signage rather than from a numbered ordinance.

Violations of posted restrictions fall under the park's general enforcement framework: unauthorized use of a closed or restricted area is a misdemeanor under § 30-1-202(d) when tied to a posted restriction, and a person who violates any provision of the park conduct subtitle can be excluded from the park by the Director under § 30-1-202(f), with a right to appeal in writing within 15 days to the Office of Administrative Hearings and, beyond that, to the Board of Appeals. FAA rules on drone registration and no-fly zones apply on top of whatever county park policy the Director adopts, since the county ordinance is expressly written not to conflict with federal law.

Violations & Fines

Flying a drone in violation of Director-issued unmanned aircraft policy or a posted park restriction can result in exclusion from the park under § 30-1-202(f), which requires a written notice of exclusion stating the length of exclusion and the right to appeal. Entering or remaining in a park during a period of exclusion is a separate misdemeanor under § 30-1-202(f)(6), punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of up to 90 days, or both.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a countywide ban on drones in Baltimore County parks?
No fixed statutory ban exists. Code § 30-1-202(e) authorizes the Recreation and Parks Director to develop unmanned aircraft system policies for parks, so specific restrictions come from Department policy and posted signage, not a numbered prohibition in the ordinance.
Can county drone rules override FAA regulations?
No. The statute requires Director policies to not be inconsistent with federal and state law, so FAA registration rules and airspace restrictions apply regardless of what the county park policy allows.
What happens if someone flies a drone against posted park rules?
The Director can issue a written notice excluding the person from the park under § 30-1-202(f), specifying the length of exclusion and appeal rights. Entering the park during that exclusion period is a separate misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Baltimore County

All Baltimore County rules

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