Roswell, GA Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- No drone launch/landing on city property
- Covers
- Parks and all city-owned/leased land
- Exception
- Prior city authorization
- Excludes
- Satellites are not 'unmanned aircraft'
- Added
- Ord. No. 2019-12-35, Dec. 9, 2019
- Max penalty
- $2,000 fine or 180 days jail
Summary
Roswell, Georgia bars anyone from launching or intentionally landing a drone on city-owned, leased or possessed property, including parks, unless authorized, under Code of Ordinances Section 13.1.14(d). The rule covers any unmanned, remotely piloted or autonomous aerial vehicle that provides its own lift and excludes only satellites.
Unmanned aircraft for purposes of this section shall mean a powered, aerial vehicle or device that: (1)Does not carry a human operator and is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the vehicle or device; (2)Uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift; (3)Can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely; and (4)Can be expendable or recoverable. Unmanned aircraft. shall not include satellites... It shall be unlawful within the City of Roswell to launch or intentionally land an unmanned aircraft from or on any City of Roswell property whether owned, leased or otherwise possessed by the city unless such is authorized.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 17 | Unified Development Code: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
14 of the Roswell Code of Ordinances, added by Ordinance No. 2019-12-35 in December 2019, defines an 'unmanned aircraft' for city purposes as 'a powered, aerial vehicle or device that: (1) Does not carry a human operator and is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the vehicle or device; (2) Uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift; (3) Can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely; and (4) Can be expendable or recoverable,' expressly excluding satellites. ' That reaches every city park, recreation facility, historic site along the Chattahoochee, and municipal building grounds in the City of Roswell, Fulton County, not just areas specifically labeled 'parks' elsewhere in the Code.
The 'unless such is authorized' clause means a drone operator needs advance permission from the city, most practically through the same event or media-production permit process used for other commercial activity on city property, rather than a stand-alone drone permit created elsewhere in the Code. 00, 180 days' imprisonment, and 180 days of community service, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Launching or landing a drone on city park land, historic sites or other city property without authorization has no dedicated fine in Section 13.1.14, so it is punished under the Code's general penalty, Section 1.1.3: a fine up to $2,000.00, up to 180 days' imprisonment, up to 180 days of community service, or a combination, at the municipal court's discretion, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone at a Roswell city park?
What counts as an 'unmanned aircraft' under Roswell's drone rule?
How do I get authorization to launch a drone from Roswell city property?
Does the city drone rule apply to city-leased buildings, not just parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roswell
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