Can you fly with a drone over Zoetermeer? This is the answer

Drone aircraft are slowly conquering the world. More and more people have one at home and we understand why, because you can make beautiful images with it. But what about the regulations exactly? Can you just fly a drone over Zoetermeer?

Banned in Zoetermeer

In Zoetermeer, except for a very few places, it is forbidden to fly a drone. This is because it is located within the no-fly zone of Rotterdam-The Hague Airport. A border has been drawn around each airport and therefore also around this airport. Only the northern tip of Noordhove and the northern half of the Noord-Aa fall outside the No-Fly zone, so you can fly your drone there.

Within this limit it is therefore always forbidden to fly with a drone, even if it only flies at a height of 1 meter!

For your pleasure

So if you do fly with your drone on the northern tip of Noordhove and the northern half of the Noord Aa: taking photos and video recordings is only allowed for pleasure. For example, if you shoot for a television commercial, or if you want to sell that one beautiful drone photo, then you have a commercial goal. Very different (stricter!) rules apply to this. In this article we assume that you are indeed a hobby pilot.

Watch this super cool video by drone filmmaker Roy Poots from Zoetermeer. The text continues below the film.

The rules

If you go out with your drone in the only two places in Zoetermeer where it is allowed, there are a number of rules that you must adhere to. We’ve put together the most important ones:

• Only fly in daylight;
• Do not fly higher than 120 meters;
• Keep at least 50 meters away from people, animals, buildings, roads, railway lines and industrial and port areas;
• Always give way to airplanes, helicopters, gliders, free balloons (a blimp, for example), and airships;
• Make sure you always have control over your drone and that you can always see it.

Do you want to know where all the No-Fly zones in the Netherlands are? Then look up this map. Also on the map aeret you can also find detailed information.

Punishable

You cannot be fined for flying a drone, such as for a parking violation. But if the Handaving Team sees you flying a drone in a place where it is not allowed, you are punishable and you can be arrested for this.