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Yakima County deputy briefs commissioners on drone rules, privacy and enforcement
Summary
At the Feb. 11 Yakima County Commissioners meeting, Deputy Diaz of the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office presented federal and state drone requirements, privacy limits and enforcement options, and recommended steps residents should take if they believe a drone is violating the law.
Deputy Diaz of the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office told the Board of Yakima County Commissioners on Feb. 11 that federal and state rules govern most drone operations, and that the county currently has no broad, county-specific drone ordinance.
Diaz said the Federal Aviation Administration requires registration and a remote pilot certificate for drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds (about 250 grams), and that licensed pilots must be at least 16 years old. He said drones generally must remain within the operator’s visual line of sight, must not exceed 400 feet above ground level without an FAA waiver, and must display anti‑collision lighting. Diaz added that operators must keep drones away from aircraft and obtain air‑traffic authorization before entering controlled airspace near airports.
The presentat…
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