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Drone Use To Be Restricted At Most Oregon State Parks And Coastal Beaches Beginning May 1

Drone use will be restricted at most Oregon state parks and coastal beaches beginning May 1. New Oregon Parks and Recreation Department rules limit drone takeoffs and landings to designated areas, with permits or passes required in some cases.

Photo by Phil Hearing

Drone operators will face new restrictions at most Oregon state parks and coastal beaches beginning Friday, May 1, under new rules adopted by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

The new rules apply to unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, and focus on where drones may take off and land from state park property and the ocean shore. The Oregon Secretary of State filing shows the rules were approved by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission on April 22, filed April 27, and take effect May 1.

What Is Changing

Under the new framework, drone operation from Oregon state park property will only be allowed within areas specifically designated by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department as UAS Operation Areas.

A UAS Operation Area is a specific site or zone shown on an official department map where a drone may be operated from, subject to any conditions set by the state.

The rules also apply to the ocean shore state recreation area, which generally includes the beach area under Oregon Parks and Recreation Department jurisdiction between extreme low tide and the statutory vegetation line or established upland vegetation line.

On the ocean shore, a person may only operate a drone from within a designated UAS Operation Area and must meet any UAS Pass requirement if one is required for that location.

Where Drone Use May Still Be Allowed

Drone use may still be allowed in areas specifically designated by the department.

Those areas could include:

An entire state park property
A portion of a state park
An entire ocean shore area
A section of beach

Designated areas may also be limited by season, time of day, or other conditions.

The department may add, modify, suspend, or remove designated drone areas based on visitor safety, resource protection, user conflict, operational constraints, seasonal conditions, or other management needs.

Passes And Permits

Some designated drone areas may require a UAS Pass. Under the rule, a UAS Pass allows one unmanned aircraft system to operate within a designated UAS Operation Area on a specific date.

The department may limit the number of passes available each day or apply other conditions based on seasonal resource sensitivity, high visitation, user conflict, or operational capacity.

Special use permits may still be available for certain drone operations outside designated areas.

The rules state that a special use permit is required for drone operation outside a designated UAS Operation Area on park property. A permit is also required for commercial or research drone operation on any portion of park property.

For the ocean shore, a permit is required for drone operation outside a designated UAS Operation Area and for commercial or research drone operation on any portion of the ocean shore.

What Areas Are Off Limits

Some areas cannot be designated for drone use under the new rules.

Those include overnight facilities, such as campgrounds, campsites, cabins, yurts, showers, and parking areas associated with overnight visitors.

Drone operation may also be prohibited in areas closed by state statute, administrative rule, or other restrictions.

The coastal rules include protections connected to Western snowy plover management areas. The department’s rule says restrictions for Western snowy plover management areas apply to drone operation on the ocean shore.

The department will also prohibit drone operation within a half mile of a boundary to certain federally or state protected areas that explicitly prohibit drone takeoff and landing, unless permission is granted by the adjacent land manager.

Enforcement

Failure to follow the new drone rules could result in enforcement action up to and including a Class A violation.

That includes failing to obtain or comply with a required UAS Pass, operating outside a designated UAS Operation Area, or failing to follow conditions attached to a permit or designated area.

What The Rules Do Not Do

The rules do not create a statewide ban on drones in Oregon.

They apply to takeoff, landing, and operation from Oregon Parks and Recreation Department property and ocean shore areas. The rule text says the department does not regulate drones while in flight, in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

Drone operators are still responsible for following applicable federal aviation rules.

Why The Rules Were Adopted

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department said the rulemaking process was intended to create a clearer framework for drone use in state parks and along the ocean shore.

According to the department, the process began in early 2022, was paused after public feedback, and resumed in 2025 with a Rule Advisory Committee made up of representatives from recreation groups, conservation organizations, natural resource specialists, and other stakeholders.

The department said designated drone areas may be managed over time based on public safety, visitor experience, wildlife protection, resource concerns, user conflicts, and operational needs.

What Visitors Should Know

Beginning May 1, visitors should not assume drones can be launched or landed from Oregon state parks or coastal beaches.

Before operating a drone, pilots should check whether the area has been designated for drone use, whether a UAS Pass is required, or whether a special use permit is needed.

The department says official maps for designated drone operation areas will be posted on the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department website at least 30 days before a designation becomes effective, except in emergencies.

Main OPRD drone rules page:
https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/prp/pages/prp-rule-2025-drones-take-off-and-landing.aspx

OPRD plans, rules and permits page:
https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/prp/pages/prp-overview.aspx