Stanton Municipal Code Ch. 9.102 Model Aircraft and Civil Unmanned Aircraft System Regulations

A. Definitions. For purposes of this chapter:

"Civil UAS"

shall mean any unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system operated by any person for purposes other than strictly hobby or recreational purposes, including, but not limited to, commercial purposes or in furtherance of, or incidental to, any business or media service or agency.

"Model aircraft"

shall mean an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system operated by an person strictly for hobby or recreational purposes.

"Person"

shall mean a natural person, joint venture, joint stock company, partnership, association, club, company, corporation, business trust, or organization, or the manager, lessee, agent, servant, officer or employee of any of them.

"Public UAS"

shall mean an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system operated by any public agency for government-related purposes.

"Unmanned aircraft"

shall mean an aircraft, including, but not limited to, an aircraft commonly known as a drone, that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

"Unmanned aircraft system"

shall mean an unmanned aircraft and associated elements, including, but not limited to, any communication links and components that control the unmanned aircraft.

B. No person shall operate any model aircraft within the city in a manner that interferes with manned aircraft, and any person operating a model aircraft in the city shall always give way to any manned aircraft.

C. The following shall apply to the operation of any model aircraft or civil UAS within the city:

1. No person shall operate any model aircraft or civil UAS within the city in a manner that is prohibited by any federal statute or regulation governing aeronautics.

2. No person shall operate any model aircraft or civil UAS within the city in violation of any temporary flight restriction or notice to airmen issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.

3. No person shall operate any model aircraft or civil UAS within the city in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another. The standard for what constitutes careless and reckless operation under this section shall be the same as the standard set forth in any federal statutes or regulations governing aeronautics including but not limited to Federal Aviation Rule 91.13.

D. It is unlawful for any person to violate or fail to comply with this section. Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the provisions of Section 1.10.010 of this code. In addition to or in lieu of the penalty provided in Section 1.10.010, any person who violates or fails to comply with this chapter may be subject to civil or administrative remedies, in the city's discretion.

E. This chapter shall not apply to any public UAS operated pursuant to, and in compliance with, the terms and conditions of any current and enforceable authorization granted by the Federal Aviation Administration.

(Ord. 1063 § 2, 2017)