Regulation 🙅‍♀️ Drone pick-up and charging stations

[Salmissra]

They have arrived in my fair town!

We are currently regulating the pickup stations as a structure, requiring a permit per IBC §202.
Key characteristics include:

• ~700-pound self-ballasted weight and fixed placement for ongoing commercial drone operations
• Deployment duration exceeding temporary thresholds
• Potential life-safety risks (wind loads, overturning) accessible to the public, warranting stability verification

While designed for relocation in hours, current IBC interpretation treats such relocatable equipment as structures when serving permanent-like functions—consistent with national precedents for telecom cabinets, kiosks, and similar installations.

We're getting pushback on the "requiring a permit" aspect. The applicant says "No other city in the area requires a permit, as these aren't structures". The main part is 10 feet tall, with 4-ft antenna on top to help guide the drone in for pickup.

Charging stations are quite a bit larger/wider, require more space, and can hold up to 12 drones at a time. Same applicant, but they aren't pushing back on the permits for the charging stations. The charging stations look like a sci-fi docking station, requires permanent grounding/utilities, and is overall shorter than the pickup station (12 ft vs 14 ft.).

What do you all do for regulating these items? Do you have it in your city code as a use, or are you relying on the building codes for guidance?