Baseline requirements
Federal Rules That Apply in Every State
These FAA rules apply everywhere in the United States. State law can add more restrictions, but it cannot replace the federal baseline.
Recreational flyers
- Register drones at or above 0.55 lbs with the FAA.
- Pass the free TRUST safety test before recreational flight.
- Follow FAA recreational rules, including visual line of sight and airspace limits.
Commercial pilots
- Fly for business under 14 CFR Part 107 with a Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Register drones used for commercial work with the FAA.
- Request LAANC or FAA authorization for controlled airspace operations when needed.
Always check before flight
- Review B4UFLY, TFRs, NOTAMs, airport restrictions, and Remote ID requirements.
- Stay clear of national parks, military areas, stadium restrictions, and other FAA-prohibited locations.
- Verify waivers or airspace approvals before operations that are outside standard Part 107 limits.
Federal resources: FAA UAS FAA Commercial Operators Part 107 Airspace Authorizations B4UFLY FAA DroneZone
State-specific rules
State-Specific Rules in Georgia
Georgia allows recreational and commercial drone operations under federal FAA Part 107. Georgia Code addresses privacy, harassment, and trespass. Atlanta airspace (ATL) requires LAANC clearance. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has restricted airspace.
Key Restrictions
- 14 CFR 107: 400 ft AGL max altitude, VLOS requirement
- Voyeurism by drone: recording person in private area without consent is crime
- Stalking via drone: surveillance with intent to harass/threaten is criminal offense
- Harassment by drone: repeated drone surveillance intended to harass is crime
- Atlanta airspace: Class B airspace (ATL, PDK) requires LAANC authorization
- Savannah airspace: Class C airspace (SAV) — check LAANC/B4UFLY before flight
- Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge: Restricted airspace — no civilian drone operations without federal approval
- Peeping Tom via drone: drone surveillance of private areas for lascivious purposes is crime
- Eavesdropping by drone: drone-based electronic surveillance without consent is criminal
- Reckless conduct via drone: operations creating substantial risk of injury are criminal
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources: State park airspace — no drone flight in state parks/wildlife areas without permit
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources: Wildlife management areas — no drone operations in protected wildlife zones
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources: Wetland protection — no drone flight over protected aquatic habitats or marshes
- Chattahoochee National Forest: Special Use Permit required for commercial drone operations on federal forest land
- Georgia Department of Education: School airspace — no drone flight over school property/grounds/events without authorization
- Georgia Department of Community Health: Hospital/medical facility — no drone flight over hospitals, emergency departments
- Georgia Department of Labor: Construction site safety — commercial drones require coordination with site safety standards
Permits & Licensing
Commercial: Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) required. Recreational: Register at faadronezone.faa.gov and pass TRUST test.
Project and permit planning
Insurance
Statewide requirement
No statewide commercial drone insurance requirement identified.
Public property / permit situations
Insurance may still be required by clients, venues, public-property permits, or local film and operations permits.
Practical takeaway
Verify local permit conditions before flight and confirm insurance language in every contract or venue requirement.
Official Resources
Federal resources: FAA UAS LAANC FAA DroneZone