Columbia, SC Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Adopted by Ord. No. 2019-011 on February 19, 2019, Sec. 14-107 defines a drone as an unmanned aircraft system without a human pilot onboard that is controlled from an operator on the ground, and applies citywide, not just in parks or over city facilities. The ordinance does not set a blanket ban or a separate city drone permit; instead it lists eight specific ways flying becomes unlawful. Subsection (b)(1) folds in whatever federal or state drone law already applies, including FAA registration requirements, so an unregistered recreational drone that should be registered is also a city violation.

Subsection (b)(6) sets a numeric threshold: flying over any gathering exceeding 50 persons is unlawful unless the event organizer and any federal or state agency with jurisdiction give lawful permission first. The ordinance also reaches traffic and public-safety impacts, prohibiting drone use that impedes the normal and safe flow of vehicular traffic or interferes with the safe and efficient operations of any first responder engaged in a call for service, language aimed at crash and fire scenes. Subsection (c) places enforcement in Columbia Municipal Court, with punishment set by the Code's general penalty at Sec.

1-5, up to a $500 fine, up to 30 days imprisonment, or both, since Sec. 14-107 sets no separate fine schedule. Subsection (d) goes further, declaring any violation a public nuisance, which opens the door to nuisance-abatement remedies on top of the criminal citation.