Arizona's existing ban on cities, towns and counties regulating drones is moved into new laws, now names commercial drone delivery systems, and adds specific areas, such as residential zoning, where local governments may still set rules for delivery drone takeoff, docking and landing.
Official title: local regulation; prohibition; unmanned aircraft
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforeCities, towns and counties could not enact or adopt rules relating to the ownership or operation of drones (unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft systems), and such rules were void, with limited exceptions.
NowThe same ban continues and now also names commercial drone delivery systems, which are drone systems delivering goods and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for that purpose. Rules that violate the ban, whether adopted before or after August 6, 2016, are still void.
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NowCities, towns and counties may adopt ordinances or rules on land use approvals for delivery drones taking off, docking and landing in areas zoned residential or within 150 feet of the edge of a residential zone, and on delivery drones taking off, docking or landing from property the local government owns.
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NowThe law states that local governments may still require or enforce existing regulations that are not explicitly for drones, but that it does not allow them to withhold a permit or approval for operating, taking off, docking or landing drones in areas not zoned residential.
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NowWithin 2.5 miles of a small, medium or large hub airport, local governments may apply general zoning, land use, site plan, building, fire and public safety rules to the physical location of drone takeoff, docking or landing facilities, if those rules do not govern flight path, navigation or operation, do not effectively prohibit delivery drones in the area, and the delivery drone operator consults with the airport about the rules.
Before"Model aircraft" was defined by reference to a 2012 federal law.
Now"Model aircraft" now means a drone that can sustain flight, is flown within the operator's visual line of sight, and is flown for hobby or recreational purposes. This definition applies to the existing drone crime law and to the local park rules, which still let cities, towns and counties regulate model aircraft takeoff and landing in parks or preserves they own under the same conditions as before.
Who it affects
- Companies operating commercial drone delivery systems
- Drone owners and operators, including hobbyists flying model aircraft
- Residents near drone takeoff, docking or landing sites
- Cities, towns and counties
- Hub airports
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- What "consults with the airport" requires or how it is shown
- What happens to local delivery drone rules already adopted that may now fit the new exceptions
- How it is decided whether a local rule has the effect of prohibiting delivery drones
- Who enforces the ban on local drone rules or how a rule is found void
- What "docking" means for a drone
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.