NYPD Announces New Rules for Drone Usage

NEW YORK (NYPD) — The New York Police Department is now accepting applications for take-off/landing permits for unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, under a new set of rules that kicked in Friday governing the increasingly popular unmanned aircraft.

Prior to launching or landing a drone within the city, operators must have applied for and been granted a permit.  

Previously, drone take-offs and landings were limited to locations designated by the Department of Transportation and to model aircraft fields designated by the Department of Parks and Recreation.  In June 2023, the city proposed rule changes that would allow the public to request other locations within the city be temporarily designated for drone take-off or landing.

Under the new permitting process, applicants are required to submit applications to take-off or land unmanned aircraft within the five boroughs through the NYPD Online Services Portal website at http://www.nyc.gov/dronepermits. Each application must contain proof that each proposed operator is licensed to fly unmanned aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Except in limited circumstances, applications must be submitted 30 days in advance of the earliest proposed take-off or landing. Applicants will receive an email notification when their applications have been processed, and permits will be made available to approved applicants electronically 48 hours before a scheduled/approved flight.  

When flying a drone in New York City with a permit, operators are required to have the necessary documentation readily available and to present this documentation for inspection upon request by law enforcement, including:  

• The City-issued drone take-off/landing permit 
• A copy of their insurance policy 
• Documentation of FAA authorization to operate a drone 
• A copy of the FAA registration certificate for the drone(s) being flown