Ashwaubenon, WI Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Section 9-1-18 regulates Unmanned Aircraft Systems, defined to match the common meaning of a drone controlled from the ground without an onboard pilot. Subsection (C) sets the baseline prohibitions: no takeoff or landing outside the operator's visual line of sight (using natural or corrected vision only, not binoculars or first-person-view goggles), none within 25 feet of another person besides the operator or their designee, and none on private property without the property owner's written or electronic consent, which the operator must carry. A drone may not take off or land within 100 feet of a Village-permitted or Village-sponsored public event without written Village permission, nor within 1,500 horizontal feet of another aircraft, subject to any FAA Part 107 waiver.

Subsection (D) layers on additional buffers: 500 feet from an emergency vehicle running lights or sirens, 500 feet from an active law enforcement or emergency incident, 100 feet from a school facility without prior written authorization from school officials, and 500 feet from a County or Village public safety facility (100 feet from other Village-designated public buildings, a list kept at the Village Clerk's Office at the Village Manager's discretion). Subsection (E) bars flying within the boundaries of a Special Event from one hour before to one hour after the event, and within Ashwaubomay Park during lake operational hours, absent event-organizer, Parks Director or FAA approval.

The ordinance also folds in state and federal law: no armed drone takeoff or landing under Wis. 292, no careless or reckless operation under Wis. 09, and no privacy-invading surveillance under Wis. 10. Public UAS operated by agencies like Ashwaubenon Public Safety or the Brown County Sheriff are exempt under subsection (F).