ARS 13-3729 expressly preempts Arizona cities and counties from regulating recreational drone operations, reserving authority to the state and FAA.
Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3729 prohibits political subdivisions from enacting ordinances relating to the ownership or operation of unmanned aircraft, except that cities may regulate launch and landing on property the city owns. State law makes it a class 6 felony to operate a drone in a manner that interferes with first responders, and a class 1 misdemeanor to fly over critical facilities. Recreational pilots must still follow FAA rules, including TRUST registration and remote ID, but local drone bans are unenforceable.
Reckless drone operation that endangers people or interferes with emergency responders is a class 6 felony; flying over a critical facility without authorization is a class 1 misdemeanor.
See how Lake Havasu City's recreational drones rules stack up against other locations.
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