Huntington, NY Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Section 189-10 lists prohibited conduct for any person, business or agency flying a drone in the unincorporated Town, and it applies whether or not the flight is recreational. No unmanned aircraft may launch from, land on or be piloted on private real property without the express written consent of the property owner or manager. Pilots cannot fly higher than 400 feet from the ground, cannot pilot beyond their own visual line of sight (defined in § 189-3 as the distance at which the pilot can maintain visual contact without aids other than corrective lenses), and cannot fly over unprotected persons or moving vehicles at less than 25 feet.

The chapter also bars flying under the influence of drugs or alcohol, in adverse weather such as high winds or reduced visibility, near sensitive infrastructure like power stations and sewage plants, in a way that interferes with manned aircraft, or using imaging technology for surveillance where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy without the property owner's written permission. Recreational fliers do not need a Town permit unless they intend to launch, land or pilot on Town-owned property, but they must still follow Academy of Model Aeronautics rules where a permit is issued. Chapter 189 states it supplements federal, state and local law and yields to whichever rule is more restrictive.