The City of Boardman Building Department utilizes Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, to enhance the safety, efficiency, and quality of building inspections. The Building Department utilizes drones for inspections such as, but not limited to, solar installations, roof inspections and nailing verification, shear walls, structural framing, rooftop mechanical systems, and final inspections. Occasionally the Building Department will assist other City of Boardman Departments in emergency response, damage assessment, or other authorized city functions.
All City of Boardman drone operations are conducted by Building Inspectors who hold a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Remote Pilot Certificate and operate in accordance with 14 CFR Part 107 regulations. In addition, the City's drone program follows the requirements of ORS 837.362 and is governed by the City's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations Manual, which establishes standards for pilot qualifications, flight planning, risk assessment, operational limitations, airspace authorization, maintenance, data management, and safe flight operations.
Summary
This policy outlines the City of Boardman Building Department's conditions and guidelines for the use of UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems), commonly referred to as drones, as a tool for completing building department inspections and occasionally assisting other City of Boardman departments such as emergency response, damage assessment, or other authorized city functions.
All City of Boardman staff operating UAS equipment must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and this policy.
Background
UAS are becoming an essential tool for conducting certain types of building inspections. As this technology continues to evolve, jurisdictions are increasingly adopting it due to significant advantages, including:
- Speed and time savings
- Improved inspector safety
- Enhanced visual clarity and inspection accuracy
- Effective use in post-disaster response
The City of Boardman Building Department has established a UAS program to support safe, efficient, and compliant building inspection operations. UAS technology is intended to supplement - not replace - traditional inspection methods.
Inspectors should use conventional inspection methods when safe and practical. UAS should be used when conditions present safety risks or access limitations.
Applicable laws, regulations, and standards to the Building Department's UAS program include:
- CFR Title 14, Part 107 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-107
- ORS 837.360 https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_837.360
- ORS 837.362 https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_837.362
- ORS 192.345 https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_192.345
- OAR 166-200-250 https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=325634
- NFPA 2400 (2024 Edition) https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-2400-standard-development/2400
- CIS Unmanned Aircraft Flight Operations
Manual UAS program resources include:
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot in Command - Student Study Guide https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/remote_pilot_study_guide.pdf
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot in Command - UAS Airman Certification Standards https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/training_testing/testing/acs/uas_acs.pdf
- NIST standards for flight proficiency https://www.nist.gov/el/intelligent-systems-division-73500/level-1-3-open-test-lane-and-scenarios
- NIST course guidelines https://www.nist.gov/el/intelligent-systems-division-73500/level-1-3-open-test-lane-and-scenarios
- UAS User Guide and Maintenance
Key Personnel Roles
- Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC): FAA-certified pilot responsible for all flight operations, including pre-flight and post-flight activities. This individual is the person responsible for all aspects of the flight.
- UAS Coordinator: The Building Official or Designee (in most cases the RPIC).
- Crew Members: City staff assisting with operations, safety, or logistics.
- Visual Observer: Assists the RPIC in maintaining visual line of sight and situational awareness.
Pilot Standards
- All UAS operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Once certified, each UAS drone pilot must complete the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) agility training to demonstrate piloting proficiency skills.
- All UAS pilots must complete continuing education to maintain the FAA Part 107 license. A UAS pilot may complete NIST agility and proficiency training on an annual basis in-house or through a qualified third party.
Operational Constraints
All flights must comply with FAA regulations, including:
- Airspace restrictions
- Weather conditions
- Visual line-of-sight requirements
- Avoidance of manned aircraft
Flights and Operations
UAS may be used for inspections including, but not limited to:
- Roof inspections and nailing verification
- Solar installations
- Cell tower antennae installation and replacement
- Structural framing
- High-Piled storage warehouse inspections
- Fire sprinkler systems
- Rooftop mechanical systems
- Final inspections
Altitude Limits
Flights are limited to 400 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) or no more than 400 feet above the top of structures like communications towers.
Special consideration must be given to airports or restricted airspace near the intended flight path.
Operations Over People
UAS operations must NOT:
- Fly over unprotected individuals unless a specific waiver is requested through FAA.
- Pose hazards to people, property, or aircraft.
- Be conducted recklessly.
If safety conditions cannot be met, the flight must not occur or must be terminated.
Insurance
Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, and exclusions under the CIS Liability Coverage Document.
Training, Certification, and Licensing
Training, certification, and licensing records for all operators shall be maintained by the City.
Website
The Building Department maintains a webpage with information for the public about the use of UAS.
Privacy
The City recognizes the privacy protections established under Oregon law and will ensure that UAS operations are conducted only for lawful governmental purposes associated with building inspection activities, emergency response, damage assessment, or other authorized city functions.
Photos and videos may be taken during UAS operations when necessary for official inspections or other authorized purposes. UAS operators will take reasonable precautions to avoid inadvertently recording or transmitting images where there is reasonable expectation of privacy unless otherwise authorized by law.
Photos, videos, and other records obtained through UAS operations shall be retained in accordance with Oregon public records retention schedules, including OAR Chapter 166. Unless otherwise required for enforcement, litigation, or permanent building records:
- Final inspection images and records shall be retained for the life of the structure.
- Routine inspection images and videos shall be retained for a minimum of two (2) years.
- Records associated with active investigations, claims, or litigation shall be retained until final resolution.
Data Storage
UAS data, including photos and video, is stored on the City's shared drive and in Laserfiche, the City's third-party records management and storage platform.
Building Department enters into intergovernmental agreements for building services, records and data are available to authorized representatives.
Community Concerns
The City of Boardman recognizes public concerns regarding drone use. The Building Department inspectors ascribe to high ethical standards, including the ICC Code of Ethics (https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/CodeOfEthics.pdf), in the conduct of their duties as public officials. All complaints relating to the use of UAS technology will be taken seriously. Alternative inspection methods will be considered when feasible.
Purpose
These procedures support safe, efficient, and compliant UAS operations for City of Boardman Building Department inspections and other authorized City functions.
Pre-Flight Safety Check
The Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) must complete a pre-flight safety checklist prior to every flight.
Flight Log
The RPIC must ensure all flights are logged and recorded, including:
- Date, time, and location
- Pilot name
- Purpose of flight
- Any incidents or anomalies
Incident Procedure
In the event of a UAS incident, the RPIC must take the following steps:
- Any incident: immediately notify the UAS Coordinator, supervisor, and follow FAA reporting requirements.
- Damage to people or property other than the UAS: report to the City's risk manager.
- Collision: ground the UAS immediately, inspect it for damage, and repair or replace any damaged parts before flying again.
Risk Mitigation
Prior to flight, the RPIC must plan for:
- Safe launch and landing
- Lost communication link event
- GPS failure
- Emergency procedures
Pre-Mission Briefing
If the RPIC requires assistance from Crew Members or Visual Observers, the RPIC must conduct a pre-mission briefing covering:
- Roles and responsibilities
- Safety procedures
- Communication protocols
Data Handling, Security, and Access
Handling, security, and access protocols are as follows:
- Handling: UAS records are uploaded by the RPIC or UAS Coordinator following each flight and filed according to the City's records classification and retention schedule.
- Security: Laserfiche restricts access through user authentication and role-based permissions consistent with the City's information security practices. The City's shared drive is similarly limited to authorized City staff.
- Access: Access to UAS records in Laserfiche and on the shared drive is limited to the UAS Coordinator, RPIC, Building Department staff with a job-related need, and other City staff or officials as authorized for legitimate City business. Records may also be subject to disclosure under the Oregon Public Records Law, including the exemptions described in ORS 192.345.
Maintenance
The UAS Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the City's drone fleet is maintained at intervals designated by the drone manufacturer and that staff perform routine maintenance which includes:
- Battery and equipment condition checks
- Inspecting propellers
- Cleaning the UAS
Any damaged equipment must be repaired before further use. The UAS Coordinator is responsible for coordinating manufacturer repairs.
Battery Safety
- Batteries must be stored safely and monitored during charging.
- Charging must occur during business hours only.
- Batteries must be removed once fully charged.