Would Ban Nearly All UAV Flight Below 400 Feet

The Toms River township council in New Jersey has introduced a very restrictive ban on small UAVs in response to complaints from residents, particularly in the area around North Dover.

The Asbury Park Press reports that the ordinance, which has only been introduced in the council, would ban all flights by UAVs at altitudes under 400 feet in Toms River. Penalties would be fines as high as $2,000 and up to 90 days in jail.

Councilman George E. Wittmann Jr said that there have been an increasing number of complaints about drones, particularly in the North Dover area. He said residents have complained about the aircraft flying over their homes. People living in the Tallymawr community in the township have most recently been upset about a real estate agent using a drone in their neighborhood.

While the use of drones for still photos and videos has become a common tool for Realtors, some in North Dover say that the realtors are using the aircraft to scout homes they'd like to target for listing or just to obtain more information about the homes.

The neighborhood is the same one where residents' complaints led to the council passing a ban on door-to-door real estate solicitation last year.

The exceptions to the ban in the ordinance include flights by law enforcement agencies and emergency services. Drones could also be flown over sports events held at private and public schools or on township-owner property, and over private or commercial property with the owner's consent for the flight.

Drones could not be used for "data collection" without the permission of the property owner.

The ordinance would also require that drone operators register their aircraft each year with the Township Clerk's office. That registration carries a $70 registration fee. It is on the council agenda for the April 25 meeting.

(Image from file)

FMI: http://tomsrivertownship.com