TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Planning and Community Development |
Carol Helland |
425-556-2107 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Planning and Community Development |
Seraphie Allen |
Deputy Director |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Jeff Churchill |
Long Range Planning Manager |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Glenn Coil |
Senior Planner |
TITLE:
title
Public Hearing for an Amended Interim Official Control Regulating Commercial Drone Land Uses and Adoption of an Ordinance Affirming the Amendment
a. Ordinance No. 3265: An Ordinance of the City of Redmond, Washington, Affirming an Interim Official Control to Amend Article I, Zone-Based Regulations, and Article VII, Definitions, of the Redmond Zoning Code to Establish Interim Regulations for Commercial Drone Land Uses, Affirming a Workplan, Updating Findings of Fact, Providing for Severability, and Establishing an Effective Date
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
Council will hold a public hearing, as required by state law, on Ord. 3257-AM, which amended an interim official control (IOC) regulating commercial drone land uses. Council amended Ordinance 3257 on June 2, 2026. At the conclusion of the hearing, staff recommends Council adopt an ordinance affirming the amendment to Ordinance 3257 and the associated workplan.
The IOC, which can be in place for one year from April 21, 2026, is designed to introduce commercial drone land uses in an orderly manner that mitigates impacts to the community while permanent regulations are developed.
The Council held a public hearing on June 2, 2026, and found that the Interim Official Control adopted in Ordinance 3257 allowed limited drone land uses that did not address community concerns.
The City Council, in accordance with these findings, amended Ordinance 3257 to prohibit commercial drone land uses in the Manufacturing Park and Industry zones;
This amendment requires a new public hearing, which is the purpose of tonight’s hearing.
While the IOC is in place, the City will draft permanent regulations in accordance with the work plan adopted in the ordinance and state law.
Concurrent with this process, the City will also establish business licensing requirements for drone operations and intends to advance an Office of Air Space Management to coordinate commercial and public safety operations.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Redmond 2050 Comprehensive Plan:
EV-6 - consistent and predictable regulatory environment
EV-2 - attracting and retaining businesses that meet community needs
LU-9, NE-92 - limiting adverse impacts of land uses
• Required:
RCW 36.70A.390 - Interim Official Controls
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
There is insufficient time to process the necessary permanent code amendments before additional permit applications are filed for such commercial drone land uses and become vested to existing regulations.
OUTCOMES:
The IOC is designed to introduce commercial drone land uses in an orderly manner that mitigates impacts to the community while permanent regulations are developed.
Without the IOC, commercial drone land uses may begin operating in Redmond absent regulations that address the impacts of such uses and provide for the health, safety, and general welfare of community members.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
Outreach will conducted over the next 12 months per the adopted workplan.
Months 1-4 - stakeholder engagement and City Council Public Hearing
Months 5-8 - Continued stakeholder engagement. Planning Commission public hearing
Months 9-12 - public comments at Council meetings
• Outreach Methods and Results:
A webpage has been established (redmond.gov/DronePorts), along with a Let’s Connect page (letsconnectredmond.com/droneport). The webpage and Let’s Connect will be the clearinghouse for engagement information. The Council is held a public hearing on June 2 as required by state law. Following community and stakeholder engagement the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on draft permanent regulations. Updates will be communicated in City E-news, other City e-newsletters, the web, and Let’s Connect.
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$5,350,743 is the total cost of the Community and Economic Development budget offer, which includes the staff time for code amendment work.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
0000304 - Community and Economic Development
Budget Priority:
Vibrant and Connected
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
4/21/2026 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
|
6/2/2026 |
Business Meeting |
Receive Information |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
The City Council must hold a public hearing within 60 days of IOC adoption or subsequent amendment, which was amended on June 2, 2026. The IOC expires one year after the initial adoption of the IOC, which occurred on April, 21, 2026.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
Existing regulations do not address commercial drone ports and do not adequately mitigate potential impacts of such uses. Without interim regulations, uses may become established that operate contrary to community expectations.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Ordinance Affirming Amended Interim Official Controls for Drone Land Use