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Drone Rules for Cape Cod National Seashore

Chatham, Massachusetts (MA) • United States
Cape Cod National Seashore, Chatham, MA 02650, USA
Lat: 41.7159 • Lng: -69.9286

Rules Edit History: Cape Cod National Seashore

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May 29, 2026 1:41 AM Approved • Added drone restriction profile for Cape Cod National Seashore based on NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05, 36 CFR § 1.5, ESA Section 9 Piping Plover threatened species, and MBTA Least Tern nesting colony seasonal protections.
Author: e8be7a99-29f2-421e-95ec-190919c58f9b (1091)
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Your proposed edit for Cape Cod National Seashore has been approved. The information is accurate and well-supported by official sources, and the outline appropriately matches the selected location. Thank you for your contribution.
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Flight status Unknown NoFly
Summary — Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Cape Cod National Seashore under NPS regulations. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit. Located within Boston Class B airspace proximity and protecting critical Piping Plover and Least Tern nesting beaches, the seashore en
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## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
- ESA: ⚠️ Piping Plover + Least Tern — seasonal absolute ban
- Airspace: ⚠️ Boston Class B (BOS) proximity — LAANC check required

## Geographic Boundaries
Cape Cod National Seashore is located in Barnstable County,
Massachusetts, on Cape Cod.
- Total area: ~43,607 acres
- Length: ~40 miles of Atlantic coastline
- Coordinates: 41.9436° N, 70.0322° W
- Includes Province Lands, Marconi Station, Coast Guard Beach,
  Nauset Lighthouse, and Pilgrim Heights
- Boston Logan (BOS) Class B ~70 miles northwest
- Nearest city: Wellfleet, MA (headquarters area)

## Regulations
- NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
- 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
- 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval
- ESA (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
  threatened; nesting beach UAS constitutes Section 9 harassment
- MBTA (16 U.S.C. § 703) — Least Tern (Sternula antillarum)
  nesting colonies and migratory shorebirds
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations
- Airspace: Class G; check UASFM for BOS Class B outer ring

## Penalties
- NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
- ESA Section 9 Piping Plover: up to $25,000 civil + $50,000 criminal
- MBTA Least Tern: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months per incident
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by park rangers

## Special Permissions
- NPS Special Use Permit required
- Piping Plover and Least Tern blackout: April–August beaches
- LAANC check required for BOS Class B outer ring proximity
Submit requests to: Cape Cod NS Superintendent,
99 Marconi Site Road, Wellfleet, MA 02667
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+ ## Authorization Status
+ - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
+ - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
+ - ESA: ⚠️ Piping Plover + Least Tern — seasonal absolute ban
+ - Airspace: ⚠️ Boston Class B (BOS) proximity — LAANC check required
+ 
+ ## Geographic Boundaries
+ Cape Cod National Seashore is located in Barnstable County,
+ Massachusetts, on Cape Cod.
+ - Total area: ~43,607 acres
+ - Length: ~40 miles of Atlantic coastline
+ - Coordinates: 41.9436° N, 70.0322° W
+ - Includes Province Lands, Marconi Station, Coast Guard Beach,
+   Nauset Lighthouse, and Pilgrim Heights
+ - Boston Logan (BOS) Class B ~70 miles northwest
+ - Nearest city: Wellfleet, MA (headquarters area)
+ 
+ ## Regulations
+ - NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
+ - 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
+ - 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval
+ - ESA (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
+   threatened; nesting beach UAS constitutes Section 9 harassment
+ - MBTA (16 U.S.C. § 703) — Least Tern (Sternula antillarum)
+   nesting colonies and migratory shorebirds
+ - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations
+ - Airspace: Class G; check UASFM for BOS Class B outer ring
+ 
+ ## Penalties
+ - NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
+ - ESA Section 9 Piping Plover: up to $25,000 civil + $50,000 criminal
+ - MBTA Least Tern: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months per incident
+ - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
+ - Equipment confiscation by park rangers
+ 
+ ## Special Permissions
+ - NPS Special Use Permit required
+ - Piping Plover and Least Tern blackout: April–August beaches
+ - LAANC check required for BOS Class B outer ring proximity
+ Submit requests to: Cape Cod NS Superintendent,
+ 99 Marconi Site Road, Wellfleet, MA 02667