Chicopee, MA Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Chapter 186 of the Chicopee Code, adopted by the City Council on 6-20-2017 (Ord. No. 17-30), sets the local rules for hobby flyers. The definition of drone is wide: any unmanned aircraft, amateur rocket, model aircraft (Section 336 of Public Law 112-95), rotorcraft (702 CMR 2.01), or similar device. A model plane flown at a field counts the same as a camera quadcopter.

Federal limits are written into the ordinance itself. Section 186-3 applies the chapter to all drones and aircraft only to the extent allowed pursuant to state and federal law, and limits it to drones weighing less than 55 pounds that are flown by a private citizen below 400 feet. Section 186-4(A) then requires every aircraft and drone to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

Section 186-4(C) is the recreational list. The operator must register with the FAA and keep the documentation (C)(1), fly below 400 feet at all times as required by federal law (C)(2), and keep a visual line of sight (C)(3). The code defines that term strictly: constant and personal visual contact that shall not allow the operator to use visual enhancements, screens or other devices, which rules out first-person goggles as a substitute for eyesight. No flight over a crowd or persons not directly participating in operation (C)(4), none before sunrise or after sunset (C)(5), and no weaponized aircraft (C)(6).

Privacy and property rules follow. No drone can photograph or videotape any person without that person's prior written permission, and the operator keeps that permission for seven years (C)(7). Flying over private property needs the landowner's prior written permission on hand (C)(8), flying over City property needs written authorization (C)(9), and the operator cannot fly near another aircraft (C)(11) or in bad weather (C)(12). Takeoff and landing are limited by § 186-4(B) to the operator's own private property or land where the landowner gave written permission.