Monroe Township (Gloucester County), NJ Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Chapter 123 of the Monroe Township Code, adopted 9-24-2018 by Ord. No. O:27-2018, states its purpose in Section 123-1: to address the hazard unmanned aircraft pose to other aircraft, persons and property on the ground. It says the chapter is not intended to conflict with or preempt FAA regulations, but to work in conjunction with them while recognizing the limits of the FAA's enforcement capabilities. Section 123-2 defines hobby or recreational purposes as a pursuit engaged in relaxation, and not for business purposes and not for compensation or hire. A model aircraft operator is someone who satisfies the exemption criteria of Section 336 of Public Law 112-95 and flies under a community-based set of safety guidelines.

Section 123-3B requires any person operating a UA/UAS within the Township to be able to present, immediately upon request by a Monroe Township Police Officer or Code Enforcement Officer, a current FAA certificate of aircraft registration, along with a remote pilot certificate where 14 CFR Part 107 requires one. Section 123-3C bans flying in a careless or reckless manner that endangers life or property, in violation of any FAA notice to airmen or flight restriction under 14 CFR 91, in violation of FAA requirements including 14 CFR Part 101 and Part 107, or in a manner that interferes with law enforcement, firefighting, or government emergency operations.

Section 123-3E bars operating a drone on the grounds of, or less than 400 feet above ground level in the airspace over, a public school in the Township without written permission of the principal or higher school authority, and Section 123-3F requires the same written permission to capture images of public school grounds. Section 123-3G bans a drone equipped with a firearm or other weapon, Section 123-3H bans carrying pyrotechnic devices or anything that propels a projectile or drops an object creating a hazard, and Section 123-3I bans metal-blade propellers and gaseous boosts. Section 123-4F protects an owner flying within the boundary lines of their own private property, or another's with consent. Launching from Township-owned property is separately restricted.

The Monroe Township Police Department and Division of Code Enforcement enforce under Section 123-7, and operators must report injury or property damage on public property to the Police Department immediately under Section 123-6.