Minneapolis, Minnesota Drone Laws

Overview

Minneapolis is located in Minnesota. Drone operations are governed by federal FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 107) and may be subject to state and local ordinances.

State Regulations & Statutes

Minnesota has specific drone statutes. Minn. Stat. § 360.59 regulates commercial drone operations at the state level. Minn. Stat. § 609.748 makes drone surveillance with intent to harass or stalk a criminal offense. Minn. Stat. § 609.605 covers trespass including drone flight over private property without consent. Minnesota DNR prohibits drone use in state parks, wildlife management areas, and scientific and natural areas without a permit. Minneapolis and Saint Paul share KMSP Class B airspace, one of the most constrained airspace environments in the Midwest — LAANC authorization is required for virtually all flight operations in both cities.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• Minn. Stat. § 360.59: State regulations on commercial drone operations
• Minn. Stat. § 609.748: Drone surveillance with intent to harass is a stalking offense
• Minn. Stat. § 609.605: Trespass — drone flight over private property without consent
• Minnesota DNR prohibits drones in state parks and wildlife management areas without a permit
• KMSP (Minneapolis–Saint Paul International) Class B airspace covers most of the metro at low altitudes
• KSTP (St. Paul Downtown) Class D airspace
• KFCM (Flying Cloud) Class D airspace to the southwest
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required for commercial operations
• FAA drone registration required for all UAS over 0.55 lbs

Permits & Registration

Commercial operations: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required. Recreational: FAA drone registration required for UAS over 0.55 lbs. Minnesota state park and WMA flights: DNR special use permit required — contact Minnesota DNR at dnr.state.mn.us. LAANC authorization is required for nearly all of Minneapolis due to KMSP Class B — use DroneZone or approved apps. Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board special use permit required for park flights.

Official Statute Links

• https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/360.59
• https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.748
• https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.605
• https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/

Local Ordinances

Minneapolis is governed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), an independently elected body that manages over 180 parks. The MPRB prohibits drone operations in all Minneapolis parks without a Special Use Permit. U.S. Bank Stadium and Target Field generate FAA TFRs on game days. The Mississippi River corridor through Minneapolis includes parks managed by the National Park Service (Mississippi National River and Recreation Area), which require NPS authorization for drone flights. KMSP Class B airspace floor altitudes vary — check current FAA sectional charts before any flight.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB): Drone operations prohibited in all city parks without a Special Use Permit
• U.S. Bank Stadium: FAA TFR on Vikings NFL game days and major events
• Target Field: FAA TFR on Twins MLB game days
• Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (NPS): NPS Special Use Permit required
• Chain of Lakes Regional Park (Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles): MPRB special use permit required
• Minnehaha Regional Park: MPRB special use permit required
• University of Minnesota East Bank campus: University policy prohibits unauthorized drones
• Downtown Minneapolis skyway district: Dense urban airspace under KMSP Class B
• Private property: Minn. Stat. § 609.605 trespass applies

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, (612) 230-6400, minneapolisparks.org

Nearby Airports & Airspace

Airspace restrictions apply near airports. Always check B4UFLY and LAANC before flying.

Local Flying Guide

Always verify conditions with local authorities and property owners before flight.

Potential Safe Flying Locations

• Rural Dakota County farmland south of metro — outside KMSP Class B floor (verify exact altitudes on current FAA sectional chart)
• Rural Scott County southwest of Flying Cloud — check KFCM Class D and KMSP Class B floors carefully
• Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve — Three Rivers Park District permit required; check airspace
• Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge open sections — USFWS authorization required

Areas to Avoid

• Minneapolis–Saint Paul International (KMSP) — Class B airspace covers most of both cities; LAANC required everywhere
• St. Paul Downtown Airport (KSTP) — Class D airspace, surface to 2,600 ft MSL
• Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM) — Class D airspace, surface to 2,800 ft MSL
• U.S. Bank Stadium — FAA TFR on Vikings game days
• Target Field — FAA TFR on Twins game days
• All Minneapolis parks without MPRB Special Use Permit
• Mississippi National River and Recreation Area — NPS permit required
• Chain of Lakes (Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, Lake of the Isles) — MPRB permit required
• University of Minnesota East Bank — campus drone prohibition

Weather Considerations

Minneapolis has one of the most extreme climates of any major US city. Winters regularly bring temperatures below -20°F with wind chill below -40°F — LiPo batteries can fail completely in extreme cold. Summer brings severe thunderstorms, occasional tornadoes, and high humidity. Spring flooding can affect low-lying areas. Check NWS Twin Cities (weather.gov/mpx) before flying.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: September–early October (stable air, fall color, mild temperatures, lower KMSP traffic patterns) and late May–early June. AVOID: December–February for recreational flying (extreme cold, battery failure, ice, snow); late April–June afternoons during tornado and severe storm season. Summer: Fly early (before 10 AM) to avoid afternoon storms and maximize visibility.

Compliance Checklist

• ✓ Federal FAA Part 107 or recreational exemption
• ✓ Minnesota state regulations
• ✓ Minneapolis local ordinances
• ✓ B4UFLY airspace check
• ✓ LAANC authorization if in controlled airspace
• ✓ Property owner permission
• ✓ Weather safety