New York City eases draconian drone rules with new drone permit process

New York City has taken the first major step toward softening its reputation as among the world’s most hostile places for drone use with the unveiling of a new permitting process aimed at liberalizing what has until now been a near blanket ban on UAV operation.

The new system was announced by New York City Mayor Eric Adams alongside Edward A. Caban, the recently named Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) that will administer the drone permit process. Creation of the facility comes just two weeks after a public hearing seeking input on the proposed easing of restrictions.

Read more: NYC proposes new (but slow, pricey, and cumbersome) drone authorization rules

The process calls for anyone wanting to pilot a drone within New York City limits to file a request on a newly minted NYPD webpage, proving activity and location details of planned outings and proof they’ve “obtained authorization to operate their devices…