622.01 OPERATION.
(a) No person shall operate, within the City limits of Aurora, any model aircraft, unmanned aircraft, drone, or other unmanned aerial vehicle (collectively, "UAVs") which is controlled by radio, electronic, or similar free flight operation, by a person, computer, or machine on the ground or otherwise, in a manner such that the UAV flies within 1,000 feet of any of the following:
(1) Public or private school property, without the express written consent of the individual authorized to grant said consent. This would include all athletic facilities located on school property as well as all school buildings;
(2) All City owned buildings, without the express written consent of the Mayor or Police Chief;
(3) City owned water towers;
(4) Utility power sub stations;
(5) Active crime scenes;
(6) Active fire or accident scenes; and
(7) Cell towers.
(b) In addition to the above, the following shall govern the use of said UAVs:
(1) Sustained operation above any roadway is prohibited where such operation could impair drivers' line of sight, distract drivers, or come into contact with motor vehicles operating within said roadways;
(2) Operation to capture images of people on private property that would otherwise not be visible without the use of the UAV is prohibited;
(3) Operation before dawn and after dusk is prohibited, unless prior authorization has been given by the Chief of Police, or his or her designee; and
(4) No person shall equip any drone with any weapon such as a firearm, explosive device, incendiary device, ballistic knife, knife, zip gun or any other dangerous ordnance as described in Sections 2923.11 or 2923.24 of the Ohio Revised Code or any similar device.
(c) This section shall not prohibit the use of UAVs by any law enforcement agency of the City of Aurora, Ohio or any state or federal law enforcement agency for lawful purposes.
(Ord. 2020-088. Passed 6-8-20.)