Queen Creek, AZ Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

Section 9-8-3 of the Queen Creek Town Code, the Recreational Activities section of Article 9-8 governing Town Property, Parks, and Recreation, makes it unlawful for any person or organization on Town property to use a remote-controlled or self-propelled drone recreationally or as a hobby in a manner that interferes with an Active Play Area or a Reserved Use Area, or that otherwise violates any federal, state, county or Town law. The Town defines 'interfere' broadly: it expressly includes operating the drone within 50 feet of the boundary of a Reserved Use Area or an Active Play Area, regardless of whether the drone actually strikes anyone or anything. The same section also bars flying any other remote-controlled or self-propelled model, including model airplanes, rockets, boats, or cars, on Town property without qualification.

The rule reaches only Town-owned or Town-managed property, defined in the article to include parks, playgrounds, retention basins, washes, trails, sidewalks and similar facilities the Town operates or maintains; it does not purport to regulate drone flights over private land or airspace generally, which is governed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Article 9-8 was adopted by Ordinance 764-21 on September 15, 2021, and amended by Ordinance 847-24 on October 2, 2024. Violation of § 9-8-3 is a Civil Offense, and enforcement falls to Town-authorized enforcement agents who patrol parks and Town facilities.