New Drone Bill Could Allow Cities To Control The First 200 Feet Of Airspace

Flying a drone in the U.S. could soon get much more complicated. A new Senate bill, the Drone Integration and Zoning Act (S.1249), proposes giving local governments control over the first 200 feet of airspace — an area now being called the “immediate reaches of airspace.”

This move would shift authority from the FAA to states, cities, counties, and tribal governments, potentially resulting in up to 90,000 unique sets of drone laws across the country. That means even licensed drone pilots, including those with FAA Part 107 certification, would need to follow local rules for low-altitude flights.

Cities could establish permit systems, ban takeoffs in parks, or create no-fly zones near schools. Tribal lands could prohibit all recreational drone use. Even short flights for real estate or photography might require navigating multiple layers of regulation — one set for under 200 feet, and another for 201 to 400 feet, still overseen by the FAA.

While the bill aims to clarify legal gray areas in U.S. airspace, critics warn it could create a legal maze for pilots and stifle innovation in drone technology. Pilots could be forced to research dozens of local laws just to fly a drone in their neighborhood.

The bill isn’t law yet — and similar proposals have failed in the past — but it’s a wake-up call for hobbyists and professionals alike: the skies could soon be more restricted than ever.

Visit Dan Lalonde Films For All Technology And Entertainment News

Source: Drone DJ

Photo Credit: AI