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Conyers adopts ordinance restricting drones on city property
Summary
The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 1460 to regulate unmanned aircraft systems, banning takeoffs/landings on city property with limited commercial exceptions, prohibiting weapons and surveillance uses, and requiring FAA registration proof for heavier devices.
The Conyers City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 1460, a new city law regulating unmanned aircraft systems on municipal property. A public-safety presenter described the measure’s main points: "Specifically, you cannot take off or land on any city properties," and the ordinance includes exemptions for commercial operations on private commercial sites. The measure also bans drones equipped with weapons or explosives, prohibits use as a surveillance device into private yards or windows, and requires pilots to show FAA registration for devices over about a half‑pound.
Council member Gerald moved adoption and asked the council to waive a second reading; a second was recorded and the ordinance carried on a voice vote. The ordinance requires pilots to report crashes that cause injury or property damage to 911 and directs officers to enforce prohibitions on reckless operation that interferes with public‑safety activities. Council members framed the ordinance as a preemptive, public‑safety measure rather than a broad ban on hobby flying.
The ordinance language presented to council references creation of chapter 9 of title 11 of the code of ordinances for unmanned aircraft systems, provides an effective date and repeals conflicting ordinances.
