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 Maryland
Maryland follows federal FAA rules, but Maryland's 2015 unmanned-aircraft systems law is the main state-specific UAS enactment in the current source set. Sensitive federal airspace around Baltimore-Washington and ordinary stalking, harassment, and public-property rules can still affect operations.
Key Restrictions
- 14 CFR 107: Maximum altitude 400 feet AGL (above ground level)
- 2015 Md. Laws ch. 164 (SB 370): Maryland's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research, Development, Regulation, and Privacy Act of 2015 is the core state UAS enactment identified in the current source set
- Maryland stalking and harassment laws can still apply to threatening or repeated drone surveillance
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources: State parks, wildlife areas, and managed public lands can impose property-specific launch, landing, filming, or access rules
- Baltimore/Washington airspace: Class B restrictions
- Patuxent Research Refuge: Federal wildlife protection
- Schools, hospitals, and utility sites: Property-owner rules, critical-infrastructure concerns, and local operating policies can still limit drone activity
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.
Resources for Flyers
- FAA UAS: faa.gov/uas
- FAA DroneZone: faadronezone.faa.gov
- LAANC / authorizations: FAA airspace authorization
- B4UFLY: Check airspace restrictions
- TFR checker: tfr.faa.gov