Drone Laws in Ontario: Parks, Municipal Bylaws, Hunting and Airspace

Ontario has the most drone pilots in Canada and some of the busiest airspace. Federal rules apply everywhere, but provincial and municipal rules decide where you can actually take off.

Federal rules first

• Register drones of 250 g or more and hold a pilot certificate — see registration.
• Stay below 122 m, keep VLOS, respect distances from people and aerodromes.
• Controlled airspace requires the Advanced certificate and NAV CANADA authorization — see NAV Drone.

Airspace hot spots

Parks

• National parks and sites (Bruce Peninsula, Thousand Islands, Pukaskwa, Rouge National Urban Park, Fathom Five…): recreational drones prohibited — see Canadian parks.
• Ontario Parks: check the park’s rules and get permission before flying.
• Conservation areas: conservation authorities often restrict drones; check before you go.
• City parks: Toronto prohibits powered model aircraft in parks without a permit, and Mississauga, Brampton and Hamilton have similar restrictions — see drone laws in Toronto.

Hunting

Ontario is reported among the provinces that ban using drones for hunting. Check the current Ontario hunting regulations summary — see drones and hunting.

Cottage country tips

1. Floatplanes land and take off on many lakes — listen and look before launching.
2. Neighbours value privacy: avoid hovering near cottages and docks — see drone privacy.
3. Wind over large lakes can be stronger than it feels on shore.

Winter in Ontario

Cold drains batteries fast. Read our winter flying guide before flying over snowy landscapes.