Fairfax County, VA Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)
Key Facts
- Restricted hours
- 9 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Covers
- Model airplanes, boats, cars, drones, rockets
- Scope
- Countywide outdoor operation
- Source
- Noise Ordinance § 108.1
Summary
Fairfax County's Noise Ordinance bars flying drones outdoors between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., since drones are defined as powered model vehicles under the code.
The operation of powered model vehicles in the outdoors between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. ... Powered model vehicles shall mean any mechanically powered vehicle, either airborne, waterborne or landborne, which is not designed to carry persons including, but not limited to, model airplanes, boats, cars, drones and rockets.
Full Breakdown
The Noise Ordinance makes it a violation to operate powered model vehicles outdoors between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. The chapter's definitions expressly list drones, along with model airplanes, boats, cars and rockets, as powered model vehicles, so recreational drone flights are covered by the nighttime cutoff countywide.
Violations & Fines
Class 2 misdemeanor under County Code § 1-1-14 unless a specific penalty applies; enforced by Police, Code Compliance, and the Zoning Administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is flying a drone at night illegal in Fairfax County?
Does daytime drone flying have a noise limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfax County
Compare Fairfax County to another location·View the Virginia drone rules overview
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