Barnstable to Ban Drones at Town Beaches

Barnstable’s Sandy Neck Beach

HYANNIS – Barnstable is updating its beach rules and regulations this year to add the use of unmanned aircraft to its list of prohibited activities.

The regulation would not allow devices like drones, model airplanes and quadrocopters to be used without written permission from the Town Manager.

The issue was discussed at a hearing Wednesday at Barnstable Town Hall.

“I commend the town manager’s office and the administration and I look forward to it being passed in a positive manner,” said town council member John Flores.

Flores said his family had negative experiences with people flying drones last year at Millway Beach.

“There were a number of drones being flown relatively low in the air, so to speak, above families,” Flores said. “The folks who were doing it really were unwilling to move to a different location.”

Flores said the devices pose a danger to others.

The use of the unmanned aircraft would also be banned on sections of Sandy Neck Beach.

“Sandy Neck will actually incorporate this into their regulations as it relates to the bathing beach section which is also known as Bodfish,” said Lynne Poyant, the town’s community services director. “As it relates to the ORV portion of the beach, it will be with permission of the Sandy Neck park manager.”

The ban of unmanned aircraft will only be at beaches and will not include town parks.

The devices are also prohibited all year and not just during the summer tourist season.

Town Manager Tom Lynch acknowledged there are events at the beaches where the devices would be allowed like weddings and charity events. The town manager would need to give written permission for those instances.

Lynch said he expects the update to the rules and regulations to be finalized in about a week.

Cape Cod National Seashore banned the use of drones in 2014.

By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter