Springfield, IL Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

11, adopted by Ordinance No. 283-07-16 in July 2016, regulates unmanned aircraft systems using the FAA's definition of a drone. It prohibits drones from operating anywhere within city limits over a specific list of sensitive sites: city-owned power generation facilities, electric transmission substations, heavy load electrical transmission lines, water treatment facilities, law enforcement and fire department buildings including their outdoor training facilities, the public works garage, and police and fire equipment. The ban also extends to airspace "over or around any incidents involving fire and police responders," covering active emergency scenes rather than routine recreational flying elsewhere in the city.

Subsection (a)(2) gives the mayor or the mayor's designee discretion to authorize a drone flight over a restricted area if it's determined to serve the public interest, so hobbyists or commercial operators needing access can seek that approval rather than facing an absolute bar. Subsection (b) separately allows law enforcement and emergency agencies to fly drones of any size or type within the city as permitted by state or federal statute, provided the chief of the Springfield Police Department gets notice first. The ordinance closes by stating the city is exercising its home rule authority to enact these regulations, which matters because Illinois generally reserves broader UAS regulation to the state and FAA; Springfield's rule is narrowly scoped to these enumerated sites and incidents rather than a blanket no-fly zone. 11 specifically drawing a minimum fine of $300 per violation.