Melbourne, FL Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

Sec. 42-22(a)(26) makes it unlawful for any person to launch or operate any aircraft, including but not limited to hot air balloons, airplanes, drones, paraplanes, ultralights, helicopters, and gliders, whether toys, miniatures, or full-scale, in a park or recreational facility owned or controlled by the city. The ban is part of a longer list of prohibited park activities in Sec. 42-22(a) that also bars digging or disturbing park grounds, climbing monuments and trees, and disturbing wildlife. A separate paragraph, Sec. 42-22(a)(27), addresses model rockets, airplanes, gliders, boats and vehicles, allowing those specifically in areas or at times designated for that purpose, or with the director's special permission, but that carve-out is written for models generally and does not reopen drone flight, which subparagraph (26) prohibits without any listed exception.

The opening clause of Sec. 42-22(a) exempts governmental agencies acting within their authority and activities specifically permitted under a permit or approval issued pursuant to Chapter 42, so a drone flight authorized in writing by the parks and recreation director could fall outside the ban, but absent such authorization the flight is unlawful in any of the more than 30 parks and facilities listed in Sec. 42-18(a), from Wells Park to Riverview Park to the city's golf courses.