WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Drone owners take note: There might soon be new restrictions on where you can fly your aircrafts.

West Lafayette is considering adding regulations for operating unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, within the city. The city council will vote on the proposed ordinance at its 6:30 p.m. Monday meeting.

The ordinance is meant to be a proactive approach to setting rules for appropriate drone use, West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis said.

Potential concerns with safety and privacy should be addressed sooner rather than later, he said, especially as unmanned aircrafts are becoming more prevalent and their technology is becoming more sophisticated.

"Drones are starting to fill the air like mosquitoes around the swamp," Dennis said.

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Under the ordinance, anyone who wants to operate a drone weighing over .55 pounds would need to register the aircraft for a $25 fee. A federal registration could be used instead, but only if the federal registration program allows the city to confirm a registration number for the drone and to obtain personal information required in the city application.

The regulations largely focus on recreational or hobby use of drones within the city, including the following:

Drones operated for recreational or hobby use must weigh no more than 55 pounds.

They must remain within the visual line-of-sight of the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls.

Drones cannot be operated over any public public property without prior written authorization from the police chief or designee.

Drones cannot enter, hover, launch or land on or over another person's property without the property owner's prior consent.

Flights must remain below 50 feet.

Drones cannot be operated in a reckless or careless manner so as to endanger or cause reasonable risk of harm or actual harm to persons, property or any domestic animal or livestock.

Nothing can be dropped or dispensed from the drone.

Among other rules, those who use drones that weigh less than 55 pounds for non-recreational purposes, such as for work, business, commercial or governmental reasons, would need to receive approval by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Local, state or federal agencies lawfully operating drones for a government purpose or function would be exempt from the regulations, as well as any commercial operator who lawfully operates a drone and is authorized to do so by the FAA.

Drone fliers who violate the regulations would face a fine that ranges from $50 to $500.

The ordinance comes on the heels of a new state law that criminalizes the use of drones for voyeurism, harassment or obstructing or interfering with public safety officials. It also penalizes sex offenders who use drones to follow, contact or capture images or recordings of someone they're barred from contacting.

West Lafayette Police Chief Jason Dombkowski said the city will strictly enforce that law, and the ordinance will be a beneficial addition to set expectations for local drone use.

"These technology pieces are advancing so quickly that the laws are having trouble catching up," he said. "It's important that we continue to utilize technology in a safe manner, and I think that's what this is all about."

Reach Journal & Courier West Lafayette reporter Meghan Holden at mholden@gannett.com or 765-420-5205.