To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Mike Hyman, Town Attorney
Tara Vargish, PE, Director, Development Services
Title
Ordinance Imposing a Moratorium for Six Months on the Submission, Acceptance, Processing and Approval of Applications for the Establishment of Commercial Drone Delivery Hubs and Providing for its Emergency Adoption on First and Final Reading
Body
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Executive Summary
As directed by Town Council on July 7, 2026, staff has drafted the attached emergency ordinance establishing a six-month moratorium on the submission, acceptance, processing, and approval of land use applications for commercial drone delivery hubs. The temporary moratorium will allow the Town time to evaluate this emerging land use and develop appropriate land use regulations before applications are accepted.
Commercial drone delivery hubs are not currently defined or specifically regulated within the Castle Rock Municipal Code. As interest in drone delivery technology continues to grow, communities across the country are evaluating appropriate land use regulations to address issues such as location, compatibility with surrounding development, operational impacts, noise, lighting, site design, screening, and hours of operation.
The proposed moratorium provides the Town with sufficient time to research best practices, evaluate potential community impacts, prepare draft land use regulations, and conduct a public process before considering whether and how commercial drone delivery hubs should be permitted within Castle Rock. During the moratorium, staff will return to Town Council with recommendations for permanent regulations.
Staff recommends adoption of the emergency ordinance on first and final reading.
Background
Commercial drone delivery services are rapidly expanding nationwide, and the Town has recently received inquiries regarding the establishment of a commercial drone delivery hub within Castle Rock. Because the Castle Rock Municipal Code does not currently address this land use, there are no regulations governing where these facilities may locate or what development standards should apply.
Without clear regulations, uncertainty exists regarding the appropriate zoning districts, development standards, operational characteristics, and compatibility with adjacent land uses. In addition, communities have identified a number of planning considerations associated with these facilities, including:
• Compatibility with nearby residential neighborhoods and other sensitive land uses
• Noise, lighting, and hours of operation
• Site design, screening, and buffering
• Facility size and operational intensity
• Traffic, safety, and other community impacts
During its July 7, 2026 meeting, Town Council directed staff to prepare an emergency ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium while staff develops clear land use regulations for commercial drone delivery hubs. The proposed six-month moratorium will provide staff with adequate time to evaluate this emerging land use, research best practices, prepare draft zoning and development regulations, and conduct the public review process before applications are accepted.
The ordinance temporarily pauses the submission, acceptance, processing, and approval of applications for commercial drone delivery hubs, defined as areas used for the storage, charging, takeoff, and landing of private unmanned aircraft systems for the purpose of picking up and delivering cargo.
The proposed ordinance is presented as an emergency ordinance so that the moratorium becomes effective immediately upon adoption, preventing applications from being submitted before the Town has an opportunity to establish appropriate regulations.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends adoption of the emergency ordinance to temporarily pause applications for commercial drone delivery hubs while appropriate zoning and development regulations are prepared and considered by Town Council. If the regulatory framework is completed sooner than anticipated, the moratorium may be terminated before its scheduled expiration.
Proposed Motion
"I move to approve the Ordinance as introduced by title on an emergency basis, on first and final reading."
Alternative Motions
"I move to approve the Ordinance with the following changes __________________, on an emergency basis, on first and final reading."
Attachments
Attachment A: Ordinance