Amazon delivery drones are flying over Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township, and some residents say the frequent flights are disrupting the quiet in their neighborhoods.

The drones launch from a facility in Pontiac, built on the former Silverdome site, that began operating in November 2025 as part of Amazon’s Prime Air program. The hub serves seven communities within a 7.5-mile radius: Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Auburn Hills, Waterford Township, West Bloomfield Township, Pontiac and Troy, according to Fox 2 Detroit.

Bloomfield Hills resident Nikki Ruddy told The Detroit News that drones frequently fly directly over her house.

“At first, I was more interested in it and excited to see where the future is going,” Ruddy said. “But it’s just nonstop traffic all day, every day, and it’s just so loud.”

Her mother, Karen Ruddy, who shares the same home, takes a different view, describing the sound as comparable to a neighborhood fountain that blends into the background.

The drones can carry packages weighing up to five pounds and operate hundreds of feet above the ground while traveling between the Pontiac facility and delivery locations. Amazon says eligible orders can arrive in as little as 30 minutes.

Prime members get free drone delivery on eligible orders of $50 or more. Smaller orders cost $2.99 for Prime members and $4.99 for non-members, according to Amazon.

Amazon spokesperson Lindsay Hamilton told The Detroit News that fewer than 1% of Prime Air customer service inquiries in 2026 have involved noise complaints and that customer response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Amazon also says the sound during drop-off is quieter than an idling delivery truck and lasts about 30 seconds. During flight at altitude, the company compares the sound to a window fan on low.

Residents elsewhere in Metro Detroit have also complained about drone noise. Hazel Park resident Joshua Brent described it to WDIV as “the equivalent of a flying leaf blower, lawnmower 20 feet over my house, 50 times a day,” according to Ars Technica.

Local governments have limited authority over the flights. The Federal Aviation Administration regulates U.S. airspace, preventing cities from setting their own flight paths, banning drone operations or establishing local no-fly zones.

Auburn Hills, another community served by the Pontiac hub, says it has met with both the FAA and Amazon about resident concerns but does not have authority to regulate the flights. Aviation attorney Don Smith told The Detroit News that local noise ordinances may theoretically offer another avenue, but he said enforcement would be difficult.

Amazon says it has had no crashes or incidents involving its drones in Michigan.

The company plans to expand Prime Air to serve nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of 2026. The service currently operates from 11 U.S. locations, including facilities in Pontiac and Hazel Park, according to Amazon.

Hazel Park City Manager Edward Klobucher told The Detroit News that drone deliveries are likely to become increasingly common.

“It’s probably not going away,” Klobucher said. “I mean, this is probably just the first of the drone deliveries we will see.”

Residents who want to report concerns about Amazon drone deliveries can email [email protected]. Safety concerns involving aircraft operations can also be reported to the FAA.