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Ordinance

Article XVI – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)

Section 1. Definitions

As used in this Article XVI, the following terms have the definitions set forth below:

  1. Unmanned aerial vehicle and unmanned aircraft system or UAV means an aerial vehicle or system, whether or not capable of carrying humans or cargo, that is operated remotely or that is capable of navigating autonomously (commonly referred to as ‘drones’).

  2. Law enforcement officer means a University law enforcement officer or a non-University law enforcement officer of legally established law enforcement agencies.

Section 2. Criminal Provisions

  1. Prohibition. Except as provided in Section 5 and 6 of this Article, it shall be unlawful for anyone to operate, take off, or land a UAV from, on, or over University of Michigan property.

  2. Penalty. A person who violates this Section 2 is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, punishable by imprisonment for not less than ten days and no more than sixty days, or by a fine of not more than fifty dollars, or both.

Section 3. Civil Provisions

  1. Prohibition. Except as provided in Sections 5 and 6 of this Article, no person shall assist in the operation, take off, or landing of a UAV from, on, or over University of Michigan property.

  2. Penalty. A violation of this Section 3 shall constitute a civil infraction and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than fifty dollars.

Section 4. Impoundment of the UAV

A law enforcement officer with a reasonable belief that a UAV is being operated in violation of any provisions of this Article may also impound the UAV. The impoundment shall involve removal of the UAV to a University of Michigan provided place of safekeeping until its owner can be located and notified. If the impounded UAV is not claimed by and returned to its owner within a time period considered by the University of Michigan to be reasonable, then it shall be disposed of in accordance with University of Michigan policy. The Executive Director of the Division of Public Safety and Security or the Executive Director’s designee with respect to the Ann Arbor campus, or the respective Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee with respect to the Dearborn and Flint campuses, may impose a reasonable charge for the storage and handling of an impounded UAV while it is in the possession of the University of Michigan. Any UAV impounded shall not be released until all applicable charges and fines have been paid.

Section 5. Exceptions

The prohibitions set forth in this Article shall not apply to any of the following:

  1. Use of UAVs for law enforcement purposes by law enforcement officers; or

  2. Use of UAVs indoors, provided that such use a) occurs in a University space or building that has established policies and procedures to permit the safe operation of UAVs and b) is conducted in accordance with those policies and procedures; or

  3. Use of UAVs in any outdoor campus locations that have been designated by the University for such use, provided that such use is conducted in accordance with the policies and procedures applicable to those locations.

Section 6. Waiver

The Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer or their written designee(s) with respect to the Ann Arbor campus, or the respective Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee with respect to the Dearborn and Flint campuses, may waive the prohibitions set forth in this Article under circumstances they deem appropriate. Any waiver must be in writing and must define its scope and duration.