Bucks County, PA Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- For drone flight outside designated areas
- Safety standard
- Must not endanger personnel or public
- Piloted aircraft
- Banned except by permit or at Van Sant Airport
- Enforcing agency
- Bucks County Park Police
- Fine range
- $25-$100 ticket or up to $600
Summary
Flying a drone, model aircraft or similar remote-controlled device from or above Bucks County park property requires a permit or must occur only in a designated area, and only in a manner that does not endanger county personnel or the public. Piloted aircraft, balloons and hang gliders are also barred from launching in parks except by permit, under Ordinance No. 170 as amended by Ordinance No. 174.
Remote Controlled and Similar Devices. No person shall possess, operate, fly, control, or launch any model aircraft, model helicopter, model rocket, powered projectile, drone, unpersonned aerial vehicle, or similar airborne device remotely from or above Park Property, except in a manner that is consistent with all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations and, 1. as authorized by Permit, if required, and only if conducted in a manner that is not hazardous to County personnel or the general public; or 2. as authorized expressly in designated areas and only if conducted in a manner that is not hazardous to County personnel or the general public.
Full Breakdown
B of the Bucks County Park System Rules and Regulations covers 'Remote Controlled and Similar Devices,' providing that no person shall possess, operate, fly, control, or launch any model aircraft, model helicopter, model rocket, powered projectile, drone, unpersonned aerial vehicle, or similar airborne device remotely from or above Park Property, except in a manner consistent with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations, and only if authorized by permit, where required, or expressly authorized in a designated area, and only if the flight is not hazardous to county personnel or the general public.
A separately bars piloted aircraft, helicopters, gyrocopters, balloons, hang gliders, parachutes and ultra-light planes from operating, flying, or launching from Park Property except by permit or as expressly authorized for Old School Aviation at Van Sant Airport under applicable aviation law. C lets Park Police prohibit other powered or unpowered flying devices, including fighting kites, judged hazardous to county personnel or the public. Because the Park System is county-owned or leased land listed in Exhibit A, these restrictions apply only on that property and do not reach drone use elsewhere in Bucks County.
Violations & Fines
Flying a drone in a Bucks County park without the required permit or outside a designated area is a summary offense under Section 12, punishable by a fine of up to $600 plus restitution or up to 10 days in jail, or a county ordinance ticket of $25 to $100, and Park Police may prohibit or confiscate a device found hazardous under Section 9.1.C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone in a Bucks County park?
Are model rockets and RC helicopters covered by the same rule?
Can someone fly a full-size airplane out of a Bucks County park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bucks County
Compare Bucks County to another location·View the Pennsylvania drone rules overview
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