Richardson residents raise noise concerns over Amazon delivery drones

Amazon Prime Air’s drones have been flying out of 3051 Research Dr. in Richardson since Dec. 4, 2025, and some residents living under the route say the aircraft sound like a loud swarm of bees overhead.

At launch, Amazon said tens of thousands of items could be delivered in as little as one hour, with packages weighing up to five pounds eligible for drone delivery within a seven- to eight-mile radius. Prime members could choose the service for a $4.99 fee, and Richardson was one of the company’s earliest North Texas sites for residential drone delivery.

The debate sharpened after a drone struck the outside of a Richardson apartment building on Routh Creek Parkway on Feb. 5, 2026, during vertical flight and fell to the ground, leaving smoke visible in resident video. No one was injured. Amazon said the building sustained minimal damage and that it would handle repairs.

Richardson residents and city leaders have since raised concerns that go beyond noise, including privacy, safety and quality of life. The city approved a zoning change in June 2025 in a 4-3 vote to allow Amazon drone deliveries within a 7.5-mile radius of the facility, but Richardson later chose not to pursue rezoning further because of legal risk.

The Federal Aviation Administration controls national airspace and operational standards for drones. Local governments cannot impose airspace restrictions that conflict with federal rules, limiting how far city officials can go even as complaints build around the launch area.

Richardson’s drone operation is now part of a wider North Texas rollout. Walmart has expanded drone delivery in parts of Arlington and Fort Worth, while DoorDash has introduced drone service in Frisco and Little Elm.