Pierce County, WA Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- No drone flights in parks absent Director designation
- Citation
- PCC 14.08.100.B.1
- Penalty class
- Class 3 Civil Infraction (PCC 1.16)
- Enforcement
- Parks Director/designee and Sheriff's Department
- Model aircraft rule
- Engines over .25 CI must be muffled
- Outside parks
- No county-wide drone ordinance; FAA rules govern
Summary
Unincorporated Pierce County lets the FAA govern where drones may fly, but the Parks and Recreation Department bars recreational drone flights inside its own park system unless the Director designates a spot for it. Fly a drone in a Pierce County park without that designation or authorization and you are committing a Class 3 Civil Infraction, enforced by park staff and the Sheriff's Department.
B. Model aircraft, drones, and rockets:
1. It is unlawful to operate motorized model aircraft, drones, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) except as specifically designated for that use or as otherwise authorized by the Director.
2. All engines over .25 CI used in model aircraft shall be muffled.
3. All persons flying model aircraft shall abide by the official American Model Academy (AMA) safety code.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-515, and legislation passed through May 26, 2026).
Full Breakdown
1 makes it unlawful to operate motorized model aircraft, drones, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) anywhere in the park system except in an area the Parks Director specifically designates for that use, or with the Director's separate authorization. 030 as any powered aerial vehicle without a human operator that uses aerodynamic forces for lift and can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely, whether expendable or recoverable. A. 2-3. 30 PCC restrictions on County departments using drones to gather evidence. Outside the park system, unincorporated Pierce County has not adopted a general zoning or nuisance restriction on recreational drone flights, so federal aviation law and any applicable FAA TFRs remain the operative limits there.
Anyone wanting to fly recreationally within a Pierce County park should confirm with the Parks Department first whether a specific field, launch area, or event has been designated, since informal or ad hoc launches from trailheads, beaches, or picnic areas do not qualify as designated locations under the ordinance.
Violations & Fines
Flying a drone anywhere in a Pierce County park without a Director-designated area or specific authorization is unlawful under PCC 14.08.100.B.1. Under PCC 14.08.130, violating any provision of the Park Code (unless a different penalty is specified) is a Class 3 Civil Infraction under Chapter 1.16 PCC, and the violator can also be immediately ejected from the park system. The Parks Director or designee and the Pierce County Sheriff's Department enforce the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a recreational drone in a Pierce County park?
What happens if I get caught flying a drone in a Pierce County park?
Does Pierce County restrict drones outside its parks?
Does the county's surveillance ordinance affect recreational flyers?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pierce County
Compare Pierce County to another location·View the Washington drone rules overview
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