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Northglenn council leans toward drafting drone‑specific land‑use rules
Summary
City staff told council that the FAA regulates airspace but the city may regulate ground infrastructure; council directed staff to prepare draft UDO amendments (pending ordinance), prioritize residential buffers, hours and regional coordination, and to return with follow‑up when applications arrive.
City planning staff told the Northglenn City Council that the Federal Aviation Administration controls flight operations, while the city retains authority to regulate ground infrastructure supporting commercial drone deliveries.
Becky Smith, the city’s director of planning and development, summarized the city’s options and asked for direction: “we will be seeking council direction on whether to use existing special use permit regulations that are in the UDO or prepare, unified development ordinance amendments that address drone deliveries, as a use specific item,” Smith said. Staff said the UDO special use permit process could be used now but that a use‑specific UDO amendment would give staff clearer review tools and greater predictability.
City Attorney Hoffman clarified the limits of municipal authority, telling council that once a drone is airborne it is governed by the FAA: “The minute that, drone is in the air, it is no longer regulated by us at all,” he said. Councilmembers repeatedly returned to the land‑use levers the city can exercise on the ground: fencing and screening, setbacks from residences, hours of operation, and the potential for annual or periodic permit renewal.
Several councilmembers favored a pending ordinance and regional coordination so that permits filed early would not create legal nonconforming situations; staff said they will draft ordinance language and return for follow‑up presentations when applications are received.
