§ 385.40. Restrictions regarding certain aspects of use of unmanned aircraft.

(a) Definitions . The following words shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this section:

Aircraft: A device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air, regardless of size.

Person: Unless the context indicates otherwise, "person" shall have the meaning given in section 3.60 of this Code.

Small unmanned aircraft : An unmanned aircraft weighing less than fifty-five (55) pounds on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft.

Special event zone: A zone which shall include the parts of central Minneapolis contained within the following line:

Starting at the intersection of East River Parkway SE and Franklin Avenue SE; thence east along Franklin Avenue SE to the city limits; continuing north along the city limits to Kasota Avenue SE; turning west on Kasota Avenue SE; continuing on Kasota Avenue where it turns west and becomes Elm Street SE; continuing on Elm Street where it turns and becomes 17th Avenue SE and Rollins Ave SE to 15th Avenue SE; turning south on 15th Avenue SE to 8th Street SE; turning west on 8th Street SE; continuing on 8th Street SE to its intersection with Central Avenue NE; turning northerly on Central Avenue NE to Spring Street NE; turning west on Spring Street NE to 5th Street NE; turning north and west on 5th Street NE to 8th Avenue NE; turning west and south on 8th Avenue NE; continuing on 8th Avenue NE across the Mississippi River where it becomes Plymouth Avenue N; continuing on Plymouth Avenue N to Emerson Avenue N/7th Street N intersection; then turn south on 7th Street N and continue southerly where it becomes Van White Boulevard; continue on Van White Boulevard until it passes under Interstate 394; then southwesterly on Interstate 394 to a northerly extension of Waverly Place S; continue on Waverly Place S where it becomes Mount Curve Avenue to Humboldt Avenues S; turning south on Humboldt Avenue S to Franklin Avenue W; turning east on Franklin Avenue W and continue on Franklin Avenue across the Mississippi River back to the point of beginning at the East River Parkway intersection.

The line shall run down the middle of any street or roadway described.

Unmanned aircraft : An aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

(b)

Requirements .

(1)

All unmanned aircraft operating in the city shall comply with all applicable federal statutes and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. To the extent any provisions of this section, are not merely supplemental to, but actually conflict with federal statute or FAA regulations or other federal authority, the federal statute or FAA regulation or other federal authority shall govern to the extent of any conflict.

(2)

All unmanned aircraft operating in the city shall comply with all applicable Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules that are not superseded by federal statutes and regulations. To the extent any provisions of this section, are not merely supplemental to, but actually conflict with valid Minnesota Statutes or Minnesota Rules or other state authority, Minnesota Statutes or Minnesota Rules or other state authority shall govern to the extent of any conflict.

(3)

No person shall use, assist, or facilitate the use of an unmanned aircraft for takeoffs or landings from/to any lands, waterways, or water bodies or other areas, including real property or personal property, in the special event zone on the following dates without first obtaining a permit from the Minneapolis Director of Regulatory Services or the Director's designee specifically permitting the use of the special event zone for such takeoff or landing:

a.

Monday January 15, 2018, to and including Monday February 5, 2018;

b.

Tuesday July 16, 2018, to and including Tuesday, July 24, 2018; and

c.

Wednesday April 3, 2019, to and including Wednesday April 10, 2019.

Such person shall comply with all conditions of the permit and shall have the permit or a copy thereof in possession when using, assisting, or facilitating the use of the special event zone for takeoffs or landings of unmanned aircraft.

(4)

No person shall operate or assist the operation of any small unmanned aircraft carelessly or heedlessly in disregard of the rights of persons on the ground or in disregard of the rights of owners, users, or occupants of real or personal property that is on or under the ground or in any way connected thereto.

(5)

No person shall fly a small unmanned aircraft within twenty-five (25) feet of any individual person on the ground or in or on real or personal property located on the ground without the explicit permission of such person.

(6)

Penalties for violation of this section shall be as provided in section 1.30 of this Code. (Ord. No. 2017-077 , § 1, 12-8-17)