Canadian airspace is regulated by Transport Canada through the Aeronautics Act and the Canadian Aviation Regulations. Remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), commonly known as drones, of any size are able to launch and land from private property with express permission from the property owner and must comply with Transport Canada rules.
The National Research Council of Canada Drone site Selection Tool helps you identify and avoid flying a drone in or near controlled or restricted airspace, or if there are any aerodromes, airports, or heliports in the vicinity of your planning flight.
In Edmonton, the Public Spaces Bylaw 20700, Section 55 regulates launch and landing of drones on City property. The operation of a drone weighing less than 250 grams (microdrone) is permitted within designated areas. However, drone operators must follow safety rules and restrictions outlined below.
Transport Canada requires that any drone, regardless of size, must never be operated in a reckless or negligent manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger aviation safety or the safety of anyone.
All drone operators must:
- Understand the regulations and take appropriate safety precautions before launching a drone
- Request NAV CANADA (Canada’s air navigation service) authorization to fly your drone in controlled airspace
- Check NAV CANADA Drone Viewer for flight restrictions, including temporary restrictions that may be in place
Microdrone operators must always:
- Maintain the drone in direct visual line-of-sight
- Fly the drone below 400 feet in the air
- Keep a safe horizontal distance between the drone and any person
- Stay far away from aerodromes, airports, heliports and water aerodromes
- Avoid flying near critical infrastructure (such as utilities, communication towers, bridges, power lines, cell towers, bridges)
- Stay clear of all aircraft at all times
- Do a pre-flight inspection of your drone
- Keep the drone close enough to maintain the loop connection with the remote controller
Designated Park Areas
The recreational use of microdrones are permitted in most officially named parks. Some exceptions apply. Please ensure you read all restrictions listed on this page.
A drone operator can launch and land a microdrone from cut and groomed turf within most of the officially named parks linked above. Even within these parks the restrictions outlined on this page are applicable.
Restrictions
- Sidewalks, trails, pathways, boulevards, or other groomed park areas that are not within the officially named park list.
- Edmonton Public Transit (ETS) stations (bus stops and LRT stations)
- Over public gatherings or at advertised events
- Sir Winston Churchill Square
- Joe Clarke Athletic Grounds
- Fort Edmonton Park
- Whitemud Equine Learning Centre
Know Before You Fly
The following City of Edmonton restrictions provide detailed information to the public around safe practices and the use of public lands to launch and land their microdrone. The following restrictions do not supersede Transport Canada regulations or provide greater allowances than those established by Transport Canada.
Drone Operators must maintain a safe distance (recommended minimum 10 meters) between their drone and the following:
- Naturalized areas, including areas with trees, brush, long grasses, and other unmaintained or unmowed areas that may contain protected species, including, but not limited to migratory birds as defined by the Federal Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Federal Species at Risk Act, and the Alberta Wildlife Act
- Wildlife or domestic animals of any kind, including but not limited to birds, larger mammals or domesticated animals such as dogs
- Roadways or parking lots, even when vehicles are not present
- Public amenities such as playgrounds, picnic sites, splashparks, outdoor pools, golf courses, ice rinks, iceways, or cemeteries
- Private or public facilities within or in close proximity to named parks, such as, but not limited to, Whitemud Equine Learning Centre, Edmonton Valley Zoo or Fort Edmonton Park
- Individuals, or other park users
Drone operators are not allowed to fly within the security perimeter of:
- A police or first responder emergency operation, such as a traffic accident or house fire.
- Sites near disasters (wildfires, floods, earthquakes). A drone must not be within 9.3 kilometres (5 nautical miles) from a wildfire. A drone flying near these areas may interfere with emergency personnel aircraft and the work of emergency personnel.
For the purposes of aviation safety and incident integrity, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) defines the security perimeter as a 30-meter horizontal buffer and a 400-foot vertical cylinder around any active emergency vehicle or incident landmark.
Drone Permits
City Permits are required for:
- All drone operations at advertised festivals and events hosted on City of Edmonton property, including microdrones weighing less than 250 grams
- Any professional production on City property, including parkland, roadways, or sidewalks
Visit the Film and Photography Productions on City of Edmonton property to learn more.
Know Your Drone
Your drone is classified as a microdrone if it is under 250 grams. This includes any attachments such as extra battery, parachute, or other safety attachments.
Drones of any size are able to launch and land from private property with express permission from the property owner. For example, you can fly from your own private property, or from other people’s private property with permission from the owner. All drone flights must comply with Transport Canada regulations regardless of launch or land location.
No. Transport Canada regulates the Canadian airspace under the Aeronautics Act and Canadian Aviation Regulations. Locally, Edmonton's Public Spaces Bylaw 20700, Section 55 governs drones launch and landing on City property. City rules do not override Transport Canada regulations — they work alongside them.
Plan Your Flight
Yes, microdrones (those weighing less than 250 grams) are permitted in most officially named parks in Edmonton, provided operators launch and land from cut and groomed turf and follow all Transport Canada regulations and City of Edmonton safety rules. See exceptions on the website (such as Churchill Square, roads, sidewalks). If there is an advertised event taking place at the public park, drone operation requires a City permit and special permissions from Transport Canada.
Yes. Flying over public gatherings or at advertised events is prohibited without a City permit.
All drones are also not permitted at the following locations unless a City Permit has been issued:
- Sir Winston Churchill Square
- Joe Clarke Athletic Grounds
- Fort Edmonton Park
- Whitemud Equine Learning Centre
Use of microdrones in designated park areas does not require a City permit.
A City permit is required:
- if you plan to fly at an advertised festival or event (including microdrones weighing less than 250 grams), or
- for any professional production on City property, including parkland, roadways, or sidewalks.
Two tools can help. The NRC Drone Site Selection Tool helps identify controlled or restricted airspace and nearby aerodromes. The NAV CANADA Drone Viewer shows current and temporary flight restrictions. If you plan to fly in controlled airspace, you must first obtain authorization from NAV CANADA.
Fly Safely
Transport Canada requires that no drone (regardless of size) be flown in a reckless or negligent manner. Microdrone operators must always:
- Fly the drone where you can always see it
- Fly the drone below 400 feet in the air
- Keep a safe horizontal distance between the drone and any person
- Stay far away from aerodromes (including small or private airfields), airports, heliports and water aerodromes (like ship or boat decks or defence infrastructure)
- Avoid flying near critical infrastructure (such as utilities, communication towers, bridges, power lines, cell towers)
- Stay clear of all aircraft at all times
- Do a pre-flight inspection of your drone
- Keep the drone close enough to maintain the connection with the remote controller
The City recommends maintaining a minimum 10-metre distance between your drone and any individual, domestic animal or pet or other park users at all times.
No. Operators must maintain at least 10 metres from wildlife, wild or domestic, and naturalized areas, including trees, long grasses and unmaintained vegetation that may contain protected species under federal and provincial wildlife legislation.
Absolutely not. Drones are prohibited within the security perimeter of any active emergency operation — defined by Edmonton Fire Rescue Services as a 30-metre horizontal buffer and 400-foot vertical cylinder around any active emergency vehicle or incident. Drones must also stay at least 9.3 kilometres from an active wildfire.
If Something Happens
If you lose control of your drone and it enters or is likely to enter into Class F Restricted airspace the drone operator is required to notify the appropriate Air Traffic Services (ATS) unit or user agency immediately. This is regulated under Canadian Aviation Regulations (specifically Rule 900.07).
Be respectful of privacy and other people’s property. If your drone crashes on a neighbour’s property ask for permission before entering private property to retrieve the drone.
You are always liable for any damage you may cause, accidental or otherwise. Depending on the kind of damage, you might be liable to pay financial or other compensation.
If it is an emergency and there is imminent danger presented by the drone, call 9-1-1 first. If you believe someone is flying a drone in an irresponsible manner (for example, flying close to other aircraft, near aerodromes or at a high altitude) it should be reported to Transport Canada using their online Drone incident report form.
Contact Us
311 Contact Centre
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