The VPD uses Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), otherwise known as drones, to support public safety, aid in investigations, and help resolve critical incidents.

Some examples where a drone may be used:

  • mass casualty events
  • disaster response and recovery
  • search and rescue, such as lost or missing persons
  • mapping, modelling or documenting scenes as part of an investigation
  • collision investigations
  • investigation of a hazardous material release
  • critical and life-threatening incidents, such as barricaded suspects, hostage situations, active deadly threats, high-risk search warrants, and suicidal people
  • in-progress calls with a significant risk to public safety

Safe Guidelines for Operating a Drone in Vancouver

Transport Canada Regulations state that no person shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) in such a reckless or negligent manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger aviation safety or the safety of any person.

It is a criminal offence to operate a drone in a manner that violates the Criminal Code of Canada, which includes:

  • Harassment
  • Public Nuisance
  • Voyeurism
  • Recklessness
  • Endangerment

Flying your drone safely and legally

Drones Weighing Less Than 250 Grams

  • You can fly in controlled airspace
  • There should be a safe distance between your drone and any bystanders
  • Fly your drone where you can see it
  • Keep your drone below 122 metres (400 feet)
  • Avoid advertised events
  • You cannot fly in restricted airspace
  • You cannot fly near wildfires, flight animals, manned aircraft
  • You cannot fly in most municipal, provincial, and national parks

A Drone Over 250 Grams and Under 25 Kilograms

With a Basic Operations Certificate

  • You can fly in uncontrolled airspace (Vancouver is in controlled airspace)
  • Fly 30+ metres away from any bystanders
  • You cannot fly higher than 122 metres (400 feet) above ground level
  • You cannot fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)
  • Your drone must be registered with Transport Canada

With an Advanced Operations Certificate

To operate in controlled airspace (Classes C, D or E), you need to ask NAV CANADA for an RPAS Flight Authorization and abide by Transport Canada’s Advanced Drone operation guidelines.

No Drone Zones

Familiarize yourself with the areas where it’s illegal or unsafe to fly a drone, including:

  • Around airports and aerodromes
  • In busy, populated areas
  • In national parks
  • Over border crossings

Other rules:

  • Fly away from people at a minimum distance of 30 metres
  • Respect privacy
  • Don’t operate near moving vehicles, highways, bridges, or busy streets
  • Don’t operate over military bases, prisons, forest fires, or anywhere you could interfere with first responders

How to Report a Drone Incident

Call 911 in an emergency.

Call your local police if it is a privacy violation.

Q&A

Yes, please see the regulations above for drones weighing less than 250 grams.

All drone pilots must have a valid drone pilot certification – either basic or advanced — and it must be with them at all times when operating a drone. Without it, you could face up to $3000 in fines.

If the drone is causing an imminent danger, call 911. Otherwise, call your local police non-emergency. In Vancouver, call 604-717-3321.

The police must legally justify the use of drones in any criminal investigation or public safety incident.