[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Burlington 6-20-2017. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any powered, unmanned aircraft which is operated remotely
from outside the aircraft, or is capable of being so operated.
Bearing, carrying, hoisting, towing or containing a weapon,
whether lethal or non-lethal, including but not limited to bombs,
explosives, darts, gas, knives, guns or firearms of any description,
flamethrowers, missiles, or rockets.
No drone shall be flown over privately owned residential real
property without the express consent of the owner of such residential
real property.
No person shall possess or operate a weaponized drone.
No drone shall be used to hunt, herd, or disturb animals, birds,
or other wildlife.
No person shall use a drone to view, photograph, film or make
video or other recordings of another person without the knowledge
and consent of such other person under circumstances where such other
person has a reasonable expectation of privacy.
No person shall use a drone to access or collect information
stored or transmitted in digital form without authorization.
No person shall operate a drone recklessly or in such a manner
as to reasonably instill fear or apprehension for the safety of other
persons.
No person shall operate a drone so as to interfere with the
duties of fire, law enforcement, conservation, and public safety personnel.
No person shall operate a drone over school grounds or school
buildings, or within 100 feet of school grounds or school buildings,
without the express permission of the school's administrator.
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, drones
may be used for bona fide rescue, survey, or public safety purposes
by fire, law enforcement, conservation and public safety personnel,
or for training for such purposes.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be
subject to, for a first offense, a fine of $100 and for each subsequent
offense a fine of $200. Violations of this chapter shall be enforced
through the State of Connecticut Centralized Infractions Bureau by
the issuance of an infraction ticket pursuant to C.G.S. § 51-164n.
The provisions of this chapter apply only to private and/or
recreational unmanned aircraft and shall not apply to commercial unmanned
aircraft pursuant to Public Act 17-52[1] and shall not supersede or replace any other applicable
statute or regulation. Violations of the rules and regulations of
the Federal Aviation Administration pertaining to drones and their
use shall be deemed to also be violations of this chapter, and such
violations shall, without limitation, be fully subject to the penalties
and enforcement provisions contained herein.
[1]
Editor's Note: See C.G.S. § 7-149b.
The First Selectman or his designee may, from time to time,
establish and rescind drone-free zones.
