Staten Island Drone Rules: A Complete Borough Guide for 2026

Staten Island: One Designated Field and Relatively Open Airspace

Staten Island offers what may be the most favorable conditions for drone operations among the five boroughs. The borough has one designated model aircraft field at La Tourette Park and Golf Course, and its greater distance from JFK, LGA, and EWR often results in somewhat higher LAANC grid ceilings compared to the other boroughs. However, all NYC and federal drone regulations apply in full on Staten Island.

La Tourette Park Model Aircraft Field

The designated model aircraft field at La Tourette Park and Golf Course is located off Marsh Avenue near Richmond Avenue in the center of Staten Island. This is the only designated model aircraft field on Staten Island and is exempt from the NYPD permit requirement under 38 RCNY 24-02(b)(1).

Operators at the La Tourette field must still comply with all FAA requirements: Part 107 or TRUST certification, Standard Remote ID broadcast (Part 89), and LAANC authorization for the applicable airspace grid square. Posted site rules from NYC Parks should be verified at the location.

Three-Layer Framework for Staten Island

Airspace Over Staten Island

Staten Island's airspace is influenced primarily by Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to the west and JFK to the east. While the borough is generally less constrained than Manhattan or Queens:

• Areas closer to EWR (northern and western Staten Island) may have lower LAANC ceilings
• The eastern shore facing Brooklyn is influenced by JFK's Class B structure
• Central and southern Staten Island areas may have LAANC ceilings of 100-200 ft AGL or higher
• Every operator must check the specific LAANC grid ceiling for their planned location before each flight

Staten Island Parks: Drone Ban Outside La Tourette Field

All NYC Parks Department-managed property on Staten Island is subject to the drone ban under NYC Administrative Code 18-146, with the exception of the La Tourette designated field. Parks where drone operations are not permitted include:

• The Greenbelt (nearly 3,000 acres of interconnected parkland)
• Fresh Kills Park (under development on the former Fresh Kills Landfill site)
• Clove Lakes Park
• Conference House Park
• Wolfe's Pond Park
• Silver Lake Park
• Great Kills Park (also managed by the National Park Service as part of Gateway National Recreation Area)
• All beaches (South Beach, Midland Beach, Cedar Grove Beach)

Fresh Kills Park Considerations

Fresh Kills Park, currently being developed on the site of the former Fresh Kills Landfill, is one of the largest park development projects in NYC. As it continues to open in phases, all sections fall under NYC Parks Department management and the drone ban applies. The site's proximity to the Goethals Bridge and its large open spaces may attract drone interest, but operations are not permitted without full authorization.

National Park Service Areas on Staten Island

Several areas on Staten Island are managed by the National Park Service as part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, including Fort Wadsworth, Miller Field, and Great Kills Park. These federal lands are subject to National Park Service regulations (36 CFR 1.5) regarding drone use in addition to any NYC rules. Drone operations in NPS-managed areas generally require a Special Use Permit from the superintendent.

NYPD Permit for Non-La-Tourette Operations

For any Staten Island drone operation outside the La Tourette designated field, the NYPD Unmanned Aircraft Permit is required. The application process follows the standard procedure through nyc.gov/dronepermits: Part 107 certification, aircraft registration with Remote ID, insurance ($2M/$4M, City as Additional Insured), site plan, and community board notification for media capture operations.