Great Neck Estates eyes banning drones in village

The village of Great Neck Estates is considering banning the use of drones, to be discussed at an upcoming public hearing in March.

Various municipalities in Nassau County have also adopted similar measures to curtail the use of drones. The town of Huntington and the village of Laurel Hollow both unanimously approved legislation regulating drones that prohibits imaging or surveillance, or flying on a neighbor’s property.

Drone restrictions have also passed on a county level; Suffolk County legislators voted in July 2015 to require camera-bearing drones to have permits to fly over county buildings. All flights above county beaches are barred during the summer.

Owners of drones are also subject to regulation by the Federal Aviation Administration. They must register their equipment with the FAA and abide by federal safety guidelines including keeping drones below 400 feet and away from airports.

The Great Neck Estates public hearing will be March 14 at 8 p.m. at village hall, 4 Gateway Drive, Great Neck.