Queen Anne's County, MD Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

The park-specific rule is § 22-19 N of the Queen Anne's County Code, under the general conduct and personal behavior section of the County parks article. It says no powered model airplanes, rockets or drones shall be flown or launched from any park area except on officially designated areas and by permit. Two conditions apply at once: the launch has to be in an area the Department of Parks and Recreation has officially designated, and the pilot has to hold a permit. A designated area without a permit does not satisfy the section, and a permit without a designated area does not either. The text names three categories, powered model airplanes, rockets and drones, so a hobby rocket needs the same permit as a camera drone.

The offense is Class d. In the § 22-25 C schedule, Class d carries a pre-set minimum fine of $50 and a minimum suspension of park privileges of one week, up to one month. That is a step above the Class e offense in § 22-20 A for aeronautical activities on County property, which is covered on the separate recreational drone record. Permits come from the Department, which issues permits for use of County parks and facilities under § 22-18 C, and permit fees must be paid in full before the use under § 22-23.

The rule applies to park areas under the Queen Anne's County Department of Parks and Recreation, including the waterfront and athletic parks the County operates. It does not govern the incorporated towns of Centreville, Queenstown, Church Hill, Sudlersville, Barclay, Templeville or Millington, which have their own codes. Related rules in the same section prohibit projectiles thrown or launched to annoy, interfere with, impede or endanger another patron under § 22-19 K, a Class e offense, and excessive noise that disturbs the peace under § 22-19 B. Enforcement is under § 22-24 by designated County employees, the Department of Natural Resources, the Sheriff and the Maryland State Police.