Olmsted County, MN Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

Section 3968 of the Olmsted County Graham Park Rules and Regulations, revised August 6, 2024 and effective August 10, 2024, prohibits using drones, defined there as unmanned aerial vehicles, within Graham Park or in the airspace above it unless the flight is pre-approved by Facilities and Building Operations Staff. The section carves out two categories that skip that pre-approval step: flights connected with park operations or maintenance activities, and flights by law enforcement acting as authorized by law. Everyone else, including hobbyists, photographers and event vendors, needs sign-off from Facilities and Building Operations Staff before launching over the fairgrounds, whether the park is hosting the Olmsted County Fair, a leased event, or is otherwise open to the public.

Section 3951 (Application) confines the whole chapter to Graham Park, so this drone restriction does not reach the rest of unincorporated Olmsted County or the townships the county zones (Eyota, Marion, Oronoco and Quincy); it also does not apply inside Rochester, Stewartville or the county's other cities, each of which would set its own drone policy for its own parks. 01, carrying up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail, and Facilities and Building Operations Staff can separately bar the operator from Graham Park property for whatever period they decide public health and safety requires.