Drone Port Land Uses

Interim Official Control

On June 2, 2026, Redmond City Council held a public hearing on the Interim Official Control (IOC) limiting commercial drone land uses while final regulations are developed through a public process.

Following the hearing, Council voted to amend Ordinance 3257 to further prohibit commercial drone port land uses in the Manufacturing Park MP) and Industry (I) zones.

On July 21, 2026, Council held an additional public hearing on the Amended Ordinance 3257-AM, and adopted Ordinance 3265 affirming that decision and the established workplan.

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Council materials for the June 2, 2026 public hearing, including a staff presentation, can be found at Public Hearing meeting materials - Drone Ports IOC.

• Watch the June 2, 2026, public hearing at Council Public Hearing - Drone Port Land Uses IOC.

Council materials for the July 21, 2026 public hearing, including a staff presentation, can be found at Public Hearing meeting materials 7.21.26 - Drone Ports IOC.

Questionnaire Results

The summary results of the questionnaire on commercial drone uses, which closed July 31, 2026, can be found here - Commercial Drone Uses Questionnaire - Summary.

Next Steps

Per the Council Workplan, staff is developing draft final land use regulations in coordination with updated business licensing and establishing an Office of Air Management.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will begin its review of the Technical Committee's recommendation on land use regulations at its October 28 meeting.

A Public Hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2026. Written public comments can be emailed to PlanningCommission@redmond.gov .

Schedule subject to change, more information and meeting dates can be found at Redmond Planning Commission.

Council

Council will begin its review of the Technical Committee and Planning Commission recommendations in February 2027, and will take final action on proposed land use regulations no later than April 2027.

The Council calendar can be found at https://www.redmond.gov/189/City-Council.

Background

There has been an increased interest in establishing commercial drone operations in Redmond. These operations would create facilities or ports where drones could be stored, charged, and could load up, launch, and return after making deliveries of packages like restaurant food or consumer goods.

On April 21, 2026, Redmond City Council adopted an Interim Official Control (IOC) to limit the development of commercial drone ports while final regulations are developed through a public process. Read the memo and ordinance as adopted by the City Council.

Prior to the IOC, the City did not have regulations in place concerning commercial drone facilities. Absent such regulations, the City could not effectively manage the impacts drone facilities have in Redmond.

View the City's Drone Port Land Use webpage to learn more about what the IOC covers and does not cover, as well to find answers to frequently asked questions.