Missouri town OKs rules for drone use

ASHLAND, Mo. -- City officials have passed an ordinance restricting the use of drones to owners' private property.

The ordinance was approved Monday after the Ashland Board of Aldermen passed it Dec. 1.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reported owners may fly the drones outside their property if they receive permission from other property owners. The ordinance also states drones cannot be flown higher than 130 feet.

In contrast, the Federal Aviation Administration prohibits drones from flying higher than 400 feet, or within five miles of an airport. Ashland is about five miles from Columbia Regional Airport.

Acting city administrator Lyn Woolford said the new ordinance is more of a guideline than a restriction, noting it was adopted to deal with an expected surge of drones given as Christmas gifts.

Woolford also said the 130-foot flight restriction was established because the city's water tower is 132 feet tall.

Mayor Gene Rhorer said a property owner's discovery of an errant drone several weeks ago "kind of brought about our awareness on the up-and-coming drone frenzy."