                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

LOCAL REGULATION OF CERTAIN AIRCRAFT (§ 15.2-926.3)

A. No political subdivision may regulate the use of a privately owned, unmanned
aircraft system as defined in &#xA7; 19.2-60.1 within its boundaries.

B. Notwithstanding the prohibition of subsection A, a political subdivision may,
by ordinance or regulation, regulate the take-off and landing of an unmanned
aircraft, as defined in &#xA7; 19.2-60.1, on property owned by the political
subdivision. Such ordinance or regulation shall be developed and authorized in
accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of
Aviation (the Department). Such rules and regulations shall be in accordance
with federal rules and regulations and shall include a process for adoption of
an ordinance or regulation, exemptions to the ordinance or regulation, political
subdivision training, and notification requirements. The political subdivision
shall report to the Department any ordinance or regulation adopted pursuant to
this section, and the Department shall publish and update annually on its
website, and any other website the Department deems appropriate, a summary of
any such ordinance or regulation adopted.

C. Nothing in this section shall permit a person to go or enter upon land owned
by a political subdivision solely because he is in possession of an unmanned
aircraft system if he would not otherwise be permitted entry upon such land.

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit (i) the take-off or
landing of an unmanned aircraft by a commercial operator in compliance with
Federal Aviation Administration regulations, or as deemed reasonable or
necessary by private or public entities for emergency or maintenance support
functions or services, including the protection and maintenance of public or
private critical infrastructure; (ii) the landing of an unmanned aircraft by an
operator in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations as
deemed reasonable or necessary by the operator in the event of a technical
malfunction of an unmanned aircraft system; (iii) the take-off or landing of an
unmanned aircraft being operated by a sworn public safety officer in the
performance of his duties; or (iv) the take-off or landing of an unmanned
aircraft owned or operated by the United States government, or any operator
under contract with any agency of the United States government, in performance
of his assigned duties.

HISTORY: 2016, c. 451; 2018, cc. 851, 852; 2020, c. 345.