Minneapolis, MN Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required from
- Park Board superintendent
- Applies to
- park board land and water
- Aircraft covered
- motorized and non-motorized
- Penalty
- up to $1,000 fine, 90 days
- Citywide drone rule
- § 385.40, 25-ft bystander buffer
Summary
Flying a drone from Minneapolis park land or water requires a permit from the Park and Recreation Board superintendent, since the ordinance treats drones as aircraft under its take-off and landing rule.
No person shall use any land or water, under the jurisdiction or control of the park and recreation board, for a take-off or landing area for aircraft of any kind, whether motorized or non-motorized, without first obtaining a permit from the superintendent. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 1045.230; 2001-101, § 1, 6-20-01)
PB2-32. - Temporary vacation of and prohibition of use of a park area. If in the judgment of the superintendent of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board the conduct of persons occupying an area under the jurisdiction of the board is in violation of Chapter 2 of the Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances, or is likely to cause harm to those persons or others, the superintendent may temporarily for a period of twenty-four (24) hours order vacation of such area and prohibit use of that area by posting notice of such temporary vacation and prohibition. (Pk. Bd. Ord. No. 81-101, § 1, 4-15-81)
PB2-33. - Park hours.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in the Code, no person shall be in or remain in any park between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m., unless taking part in an activity conducted by, or pursuant to a permit issued by, the park board. This section shall not apply to those who, without delay, are traveling upon those established walks, paths, and parkways which are illuminated with artificial lighting.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances § PB2-31 bars anyone from using park board land or water for a take-off or landing area for aircraft of any kind, whether motorized or non-motorized, without a permit from the superintendent. The park board's aircraft definition covers drones, since it draws no exception for unmanned or remote-controlled devices. A separate citywide rule, Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 385.40, sets safety standards for unmanned aircraft everywhere in the city, including a 25-foot buffer from bystanders, but does not override the park board's separate take-off/landing permit requirement on park property.
Violations & Fines
Violating any Park Board Code provision, including the aircraft permit rule, is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone in a Minneapolis park?
Does the citywide drone ordinance also apply in parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minneapolis
Compare Minneapolis to another location·View the Minnesota drone rules overview
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