Drone Rules Set In Summit Ahead Of Summer Events And World Cup Watch Parties

SUMMIT, NJ — As the city prepares for a busy summer calendar that includes community events and World Cup watch parties, officials have approved a new set of rules governing how drones can be used in public spaces.

The Summit Common Council adopted the ordinance during Tuesday’s meeting, adding new restrictions on unmanned aircraft and giving local police clearer authority to enforce drone-related rules within city limits. Officials said the goal is to address safety and event security concerns ahead of large public gatherings.

Under the ordinance, drone flights are not allowed over open-air public gatherings or high-attendance events unless the operator has written approval from the Chief of Police. It also bans launching or landing drones on city-owned property, including parks and structures such as the municipal parking garage roof.

The rules also prohibit drone use that interferes with emergency response operations, such as police, fire, EMS, or search and rescue efforts. In addition, the ordinance restricts flights that create a perceived risk of injury, privacy concerns, or public nuisance, including repeated low-altitude hovering. Violations can carry a $35 municipal fine.

City officials said the ordinance is intended to give local police a way to respond directly to violations without needing to rely solely on federal aviation enforcement channels.

Summit Police Chief Ryan Peters said the measure is meant to help officers act quickly when issues arise, especially as drone activity continues to grow.

“Having the ability to enforce certain violations via ordinance will reduce the time it takes to address incidents,” Peters said, noting that the issue has also been discussed in broader public safety briefings at the state and federal level.

Peters also pointed to security planning ahead of upcoming large-scale events, including FIFA World Cup-related watch parties.

“It’s been a main concern for FIFA security,” Peters said. “That’s one of the reasons we wanted to get this on the books ahead of those events.”

He added that regulating takeoffs and landings on municipal property is also intended to address liability concerns tied to public spaces.

The ordinance sparked discussion among council members about how the rules could affect everyday recreational use, particularly in local parks.

Council Member Jamel Boyer questioned whether the language could impact casual use of small drones.

“If a kid is out on a Sunday and there’s nobody around and they’re in a parking area flying a small drone, they wouldn’t be allowed to do that under this ordinance,” Boyer said, with Peters confirming the interpretation.

Council Member Michelle Kalmanson also raised concerns about unintended effects on families.

“I have kids, and my dad got a little drone, and they went outside and played with it,” Kalmanson said. “We don’t want to take that away from people.”

Despite those concerns, council members said the ordinance was needed ahead of the summer event season and agreed to move forward with it. Officials also noted that future revisions could be considered to better address recreational drone use in parks.

The ordinance was ultimately approved unanimously.