Drone Laws
in Ohio (2026)

FAA rules apply everywhere in Ohio. The state and local laws on this page add to them.

Recreational Flying Made Easy: 2 hours of video on the rules and airspace for flying your drone.

Welcome to this wiki. The goal of this wiki is to crowd-source drone information. Having said that, information may be inaccurate, out-of-date, and should not be relied upon for legal advice.

Ohio State Drone Laws
These laws apply in the entire state.

House Bill 251 (2026)

Police generally need a search warrant to use a drone for surveillance wherever they would need one to enter or look into the place in person, and drone evidence gathered without a required warrant cannot be used in a criminal case.
No warrant is needed for border patrol within 50 miles of the border, emergencies, disaster response, crash scenes and traffic enforcement, recording a crime scene, or observing what is visible from navigable airspace.
Police may not use drones armed with lethal weapons. From October 6, 2030, state and local government may not buy drones made or assembled by a foreign adversary.
Adds vertiports, heliports, seaplane bases, and spaceports to Ohio aviation law. Signed July 7, 2026, in effect from October 6, 2026.

Ref House Bill 251 (2026)

House Bill 292 (2026)

Creates the Ohio Defense and Space Advisory Commission, whose duties include promoting the research, development, and manufacturing of counter-drone technology in Ohio.
Creates a defense and aerospace grant program, funded with $5 million for fiscal year 2027.
Signed July 7, 2026, in effect from October 6, 2026.

Ref House Bill 292 (2026)

House Bill 292

Creates the Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Techology Committee (OAATC). One of the duties of the committee is to further develop aerospace, aviation, and technology industry, including unmanned aerial systems or drones.

Ref House Bill 292

Know a state law we missed? Suggest an edit.

City and County
Drone Laws

These laws apply in some areas.

Local drone laws in Ohio refer to policies and regulations that are enacted and enforced at the county, city, or town levels.

Columbus and Franklin County

Recreational drone flight is allowed in all Metro Parks in Columbus and Franklin County with the exception of state Nature Preserves. This is at the discretion of Park Rangers, so drone pilots are encouraged to check with the Park Ranger on duty prior to flying.
Commercial drone flight is allowed only upon granting of the appropriate permit from the Metro Parks.

Ref Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks Policy

Hamilton County

Prohibits both recreational and commercial drone operations in any Great Parks of Hamilton County without official written authorization from the Chief Executive Officer.

Ref Great Parks of Hamilton County Policies & Permits

Butler County Metro Parks

Prohibits the use of drones and other remote-controlled aircraft in Butler County Metro Parks outside of designated areas. Special use permits may be granted by the Executive Director under certain conditions.

Ref Park Rules and Regulations

City of Cleveland

Authorizes Cleveland police officers to enforce FAA regulations on drone operations

Best places to fly your drone in Cleveland Ref Code of Statutes Chapter 490

Cleveland Metro Parks

Allows launching, landing, or operations of drones that weigh less than 20 lbs / 9.07 kg only in designated areas within the Park District. A separate permit must be obtained for filming requests. A permit fee and insurance may be required on a case-to-case basis.

Ref Cleveland Metro Parks Drone Regulation

Cincinnati Park

Prohibits drone operations on or over park property except with the written permission of the park board and within such areas designated by the park board.

Ref Cincinnati Park Rules (2017)

City of Celina

Bans drone operations in all city-owned property, including parks.

Ref Celina Drone Ordinance

City of Avon Lake

Prohibits launching or landing a drone or any other flying apparatus in Municipal parks unless authorized by the Recreation Department.

Ref Code of Ordinances 10.6.1070

Anderson Township Parks

Prohibits drone operations in in all parks and facilities owned and managed by the township. Written permission for drone operations may be granted by the Executive Director under certain circumstances.

Ref Anderson Township Park District Rules & Regulations (2015)

Five Rivers Metroparks

The use of UAS within MetroParks Property is prohibited without the appropriate permit;
Permits may be obtained for commercial or scientific research purposes only, accompanied with a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA.
Recreational UAS flight is not permitted.
The permit will cost $200 per day/location.

Ref Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drone) Policy

Know a local law we missed? Suggest an edit.