Washington County, MN Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Ordinance No. 218, Ch. IV § 5
- Prohibited
- launching/landing drones or aircraft in parks
- Exception
- county use permit required
- Enforcement
- Sheriff's Office and Parks Division staff
- Penalty
- petty misdemeanor, fine to park fund
- Scope
- county parks and conservation areas only
Summary
Washington County Ordinance No. 218, Chapter IV, Section 5 bans using any county park or conservation area as a starting or landing field for aircraft, hot air balloons, hang gliders or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)/drones unless a use permit authorizes it. The rule covers all county-operated parks, not cities' own parks.
It shall be unlawful to use a park or conservation area as a starting or landing field for aircraft, hot air balloons, parachutes, hang gliders, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), "drones", or other flying apparatus, unless otherwise authorized by use permit.
Full Breakdown
Washington County's Parks Ordinance No. ' The ban applies only to county-owned parks and conservation areas under the Parks Division's jurisdiction; incorporated cities inside the county, such as Woodbury, Stillwater, Oakdale, Cottage Grove and Forest Lake, regulate drone use in their own parks separately. To launch or land a drone in a Washington County park lawfully, an operator needs a use permit under Chapter II, Section 2, which the Director's regulations govern; use permits can be revoked at the Director's discretion under Chapter VIII, Section 5 for any rule violation or emergency.
Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies and licensed peace officers, along with Washington County Parks and Sheriff's Office staff, have authority to enforce the ordinance under Chapter VIII, Section 1. Ordinance No. 35, and it repealed and replaced five earlier park ordinances (Nos. 93, 129, 155, 174, 199 and 213). The aviation ban sits inside Chapter IV, 'Regulations Pertaining to General Parkland Operation,' alongside restrictions on commercial photography, pets and amplified sound.
Violations & Fines
Violating the aviation section is a petty misdemeanor under Minnesota Statutes Section 609.02, subdivision 4a, punishable by a fine up to the statutory maximum, with proceeds deposited into the county park fund under Chapter VIII, Section 2. Sheriff's Office and Parks staff can also revoke any related use permit under Chapter VIII, Section 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone over a Washington County park?
Does this rule apply inside Woodbury or Stillwater parks?
What happens if I launch a drone in a county park without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington County
Compare Washington County to another location·View the Minnesota drone rules overview
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