This is my working list of drone regulations in the Cleveland Ohio area. It is checked periodically to ensure it is current, but rules change frequently so it’s possible something is missing or out of date. Do your homework when you fly. Where local and state laws don’t restrict drone use, you must still always adhere to federal (FAA) regulations.
| Location | Synopsis | References |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio - Statewide | No additional restrictions. | http://www.droneguru.net/ohio-drone-laws-state-laws-and-local-regulations/ (Oct. 2018) |
| City of Cleveland | No additional restrictions. Police can enforce FAA rules. | https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/cleveland/cleveland-passes-drone-regulation-legislation/154126855 (Apr. 2016) |
| Cleveland Metroparks | Fly in designated areas only. May require separate permit for filming. | https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/about/cleveland-metroparks-organization/policies-procedures/drone-policy (Jul. 2019) |
| Lakewood | No additional restrictions. Drones explicitly permitted in parks as long as they are not interfering with others’ enjoyment. | http://www.onelakewood.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/CityParkRules_0818.pdf (Aug. 2018) http://www.onelakewood.com/?s=drones (Jul. 2019) |
| Rocky River | No additional restrictions. | https://www.facebook.com/rockyriverpolice/posts/733737503474844 (Dec. 2016) https://www.rrcity.com/search?q=drones (Jul. 2019) |
| Avon Lake | No drones in parks unless authorized by Avon Lake Recreation Dept. | http://library.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/?f=templates&fn=default.htm (Jul. 2019) |
| Avon | Unless authorized by the Mayor, Chief of Police or the Fire Chief, no drones are permitted within 400 feet of any: municipal building or city property, public or private school property, utility substations, crime scenes, active fire or accident scene, cell or water towers or public parks. | https://www.cityofavon.com/DocumentCenter/View/4192/Exhibit-A---Ordinance-No-89-17---Drone-Leg-Exh-A---final?bidId= (Oct. 2019) |
| Westlake | The City of Westlake has no ordinances relating to the use or ownership of “drones." | https://www.cityofwestlake.org/ (Oct. 2019) |
| Bay Village | The City of Bay Village has not drafted or adopted drone legislation to date. | http://www.cityofbayvillage.com/ (Oct. 2019) |
| Lorain | The City of Loraine has not drafted or adopted drone legislation to date. | https://www.cityoflorain.org/ (Oct. 2019) |
| Vermilion | The City of Vermilion has not drafted or adopted drone legislation to date. | https://www.cityofvermilion.com/ (Oct. 2019) |
| Euclid | The City of Euclid has not drafted or adopted drone legislation to date. | http://www.cityofeuclid.com/ (Oct. 2019) |
| Geneva | The City of Geneva has not drafted or adopted drone legislation to date. | https://genevaohio.gov/ (Oct. 2019) |
| Lorain County Metroparks | (unknown) | (Oct. 2019) |
| Ohio State Parks | 1501:46-13-11 Aviation. (A) It shall be permissible to utilize any airplane, balloon, glider, parachute, or any other flying machine or aerial apparatus, to take off, ascend, land, alight, or otherwise come to rest upon lands administered by the division where designated airfields or maintained landing zones are located. (B) Upon any waters administered by the division it shall be permissible to take off, ascend, land, alight, or otherwise come to rest, utilizing a sea class aircraft, such as any sea plane, glider, parachute, or any other flying machine or aerial apparatus, on any body of water meeting all of the following criteria: (1) Designated as unlimited horsepower: (2) Having no speed or wake restrictions that apply to the waterway as a whole, and: (3) Having an established sea plane landing zone, Any person landing or taking off from the waters of the division as permitted by this rule may use the waters of the division as necessary to taxi between such landing area and a service or docking area. Replaces: 1501:46-13-11 | http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/ (March 2020) |
| Holden Arboretum | No drone use over Holden Arboretum ground without prior permission. | https://www.holdenarb.org/drone-use-at-the-arboretum (March 2020) |
| Summit County Metroparks (Ohio) | 0.6 Toy Vehicles: No person shall operate or use any toy missiles, rockets, airplanes, drones, gliders, boats, trucks or cars within the Park that are propelled or drawn by power other than muscular power, unless otherwise authorized by a written permit issued by the Executive Director. | https://www.summitmetroparks.org/MetroParks/media/pdfs/rules-and-regs/Rules-Regulations-2017.pdf (March 2020) |
| Geauga Park District | 19.0 ENGINE POWERED MINIATURE MODELS AND TOYS 19.1 No person shall operate or permit to be operated, any type of combustion engine, battery and/or electric powered miniature model, toy airplane, rocket, model ship, car or truck within any area of the Park. | https://s3.amazonaws.com/geaugaparkdistrict-org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/17112653/gpd-rules.pdf (March 2020) |
| Lorain County Metro Parks | 25.0 AIRCRAFT, BALLOONS, PARACHUTES, ETC. No person shall voluntarily bring, land or cause to ascend or descend, or alight upon or adjacent to park lands, any airplane, drone/UAS (unmanned aircraft system), flying machine, balloon, glider, kite, parachute or other apparatus for aviation, without a permit and payment of a fee, if any, as may be required by the Director. All such drones/UAS must be in full compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations, which rules and regulations are adopted herewith as applicable. | www.tinyurl.com/rqprqvc (March 2020) |
| Portage Park District | 10.6 Toy Vehicles: No person shall operate or use any toy missiles, rockets, airplanes, drones, gliders,boats, trucks or cars within the Park that are propelled or drawn by power other than muscular power, except in areas and in manners posted otherwise, or under the authority of a written permit granted by the Executive Director. | https://www.co.portage.oh.us/sites/portagecountyoh/files/uploads/ppd-rules-regs-final-draft-4-16-18_0.pdf (March 2020) |
| Ohio Division of Natural Areas & Preserves | To fly a drone in a state nature preserve, the operator must have a FAA license and a permit from the Chief of the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. | (March 2020) |
| Toledo Metroparks | Unmanned aircraft, including drones and remote control models, may be flown only at Westwinds Metropark with a permit. | https://metroparkstoledo.com/additional-information/permits-and-resource-management/general-permits/ (December 2020) |