Sauk County, WI Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

Sec. 10.06(i)(1) of the Sauk County Code, part of the chapter's general park rules, groups drones with a list of other aerial and gravity-sport activities, barring hang gliding, parasailing, hot air ballooning, land sailing, flying model airplanes, operating a drone, and sky diving in county parks, forests, or other recreational areas unless authorized by written approval from the Director or their designee. The rule applies countywide to every park, forest and recreational area under the jurisdiction of the Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department, including facilities such as White Mound County Park and Hemlock County Park.

Because approval must be in writing and comes from the Director or a designee, a verbal go-ahead from park staff on site is not sufficient; an operator must secure the written authorization before flying. The same section separately bars operating a metal detector without written approval and requires anyone who receives approval for ground-disturbing activity to restore the sod or soil afterward, showing the department treats unauthorized aerial and ground activity in parks under a similar written-permission structure. Sec. 10.06(j) additionally bars interfering with or obstructing a Land Resources and Environment Department employee performing official duties, which would include an employee enforcing the drone rule against an unauthorized flight.