Amazon drone delivery is coming to Nampa, Idaho, and the vote that decides whether it actually happens is on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Amazon has applied for a conditional use permit to build a drone delivery hub at its fulfillment center on East Franklin Road. If approved by Nampa’s Planning and Zoning Commission, drones could be flying packages to your door by the end of the year.
Here’s everything you need to know before that vote happens.
What Amazon Is Proposing for Nampa, Idaho
Amazon wants to build a 21,000-square-foot Prime Air Drone Delivery Center (PADDC) on the west side of its existing Franklin Road fulfillment center. It would be a fenced section of the current parking lot with launch pads, a small operations building, and battery charging stations. The project eliminates 114 parking spaces to make room.
From that facility, drones would deliver packages to customers within a 7.5-mile radius, every day, from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
That radius is bigger than most people realize. It covers not just Nampa, but parts of Meridian, Star, Middleton, and small portions of Boise and Kuna. Total coverage: roughly 176 square miles of Treasure Valley airspace.
Sam Bailey, Amazon’s Senior Manager for Economic Development, said at a community meeting held at the College of Western Idaho: “Our next goal is to bring this new innovation to Nampa, Idaho. We feel this will enhance the customer experience by providing rapid delivery through our FAA-regulated drones.”
The Drone Amazon Would Use
The MK-30 is Amazon’s current delivery drone. It weighs about 85 pounds and can carry packages up to five pounds, which Amazon says covers the majority of smaller items on its platform.
Customers who opt in would receive a satellite image of their home and pick a drop spot, like a driveway or backyard. The drone descends, lowers the package, and flies back to the facility.
Cost: Prime members pay $4.99 per delivery. Non-Prime customers pay $9.99.
Amazon says the MK-30 uses “detect-and-avoid” technology to identify people, animals, and obstacles during flight. The company also says any video captured during a delivery is deleted once the drone returns and is not actively monitored. The drones are not equipped with facial recognition or license plate cameras.
What Nampa Residents Are Asking
Amazon held a community meeting at CWI before the P&Z vote. Not everyone left satisfied.
Residents raised questions about how Amazon would verify someone is home to receive a delivery, what liability falls on the customer if something goes wrong mid-flight, and what agreements people would be required to sign before opting in.
These are fair questions. And a look at what has happened in other cities suggests residents are right to ask them.
Amazon Drone Delivery Incidents in Other Cities
Nampa would not be among the first cities to get Amazon drone delivery. The program already operates in Texas, Michigan, Arizona, Florida, and Kansas. The track record is worth knowing before May 26.
Waco, Texas: An MK-30 severed an internet cable during takeoff just 13 days after the service launched.
Tolleson, Arizona: Two MK-30 drones struck the same construction crane within minutes of each other in October 2025. The FAA and NTSB both opened investigations.
Richardson, Texas: In February 2026, an MK-30 hit the side of an apartment building. A witness said the propellers were still spinning and it smelled like it was starting to burn. Firefighters confirmed no fire broke out.
College Station, Texas: Noise complaints grew loud enough that Amazon ultimately agreed not to renew its lease and left the market entirely.
Amazon says it has made changes in response to these incidents, including raising minimum flight altitudes and adjusting routes so drones have more time to climb before passing over homes.
What Happens Next in Nampa
The Nampa Planning and Zoning Commission votes on May 26 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 411 3rd Street South.
If P&Z approves the application, the project moves forward without a City Council vote. Amazon would still need separate FAA approval before any drones actually fly.
If P&Z denies the application and Amazon appeals, it then goes to the City Council.
The meeting is open to the public. If you have thoughts about Amazon drone delivery coming to Nampa, that meeting is your opportunity to share them.
We’ll be following the vote and will report back on what the commission decides.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Drone Delivery in Nampa
When will Amazon drone delivery start in Nampa, Idaho? Amazon hopes to launch drone delivery in Nampa by the end of 2026, but only if the Nampa Planning and Zoning Commission approves its permit application on May 26 and the FAA grants operational approval.
How far will Amazon drones fly in Nampa? Amazon’s proposed delivery radius is 7.5 miles from its Franklin Road fulfillment center. That covers portions of Nampa, Meridian, Star, Middleton, and small parts of Boise and Kuna, roughly 176 square miles total.
What can Amazon drones deliver in Nampa? The MK-30 drone can carry packages up to five pounds. Amazon says that covers the majority of smaller items sold on its platform.
How much does Amazon drone delivery cost? Based on pricing in other markets, Prime members pay $4.99 per drone delivery. Non-Prime customers pay $9.99.
Will Amazon drones fly over my house in Nampa? If you live within 7.5 miles of the Amazon facility on East Franklin Road, yes. Drones could fly over your property en route to deliveries. Amazon says the drones fly at altitude except when descending to drop a package, and that video captured during flights is deleted after each delivery.
Where can I share my opinion about Amazon drones in Nampa? Attend the Nampa Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on May 26, 2026 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 411 3rd Street South, Nampa, Idaho.