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 New York
New York allows recreational and commercial drone operations under federal FAA Part 107. New York Penal Law § 250.45 and § 240.26 can apply to privacy-invasive or harassing drone use, and additional restrictions often come from New York City permit rules plus DEC and State Parks land-management policies.
Key Restrictions
- 14 CFR 107: 400 ft AGL max, VLOS required
- New York Penal Law § 250.45: Unlawful surveillance — using a drone to record a person in a private setting without consent can trigger felony exposure
- New York airspace: Class B airspace (JFK, LGA, EWR vicinity) requires ATC clearance
- Hudson River corridor: Limited airspace along river — check B4UFLY/LAANC before any flight
- Private property: New York common law trespass — unauthorized flight over private land is civil/criminal violation
- New York Penal Law § 240.26: Harassment in the second degree — using a drone to follow or alarm a person can trigger misdemeanor exposure
- Theft or unauthorized use of drone equipment can still trigger ordinary New York larceny charges
- New York DEC-managed lands: Drone use rules vary by land classification, and commercial use may require a temporary revocable permit
- New York State Parks: Launching or landing in state parks or historic sites may require a written permit or site-specific approval
- New York City takeoff/landing permits: A city permit is required before launching or landing a drone within the five boroughs unless a listed exception applies
- Niagara Falls/Buffalo: Special airspace restrictions near hydroelectric dams and sensitive border areas
- Schools and hospitals: Property-owner rules, emergency-scene protections, and local policies can still block or limit operations
- New York Labor Law § 200: Workplace safety — commercial drone work on active job sites requires coordination with site-safety duties and worker protection rules
Permits & Licensing
Commercial: Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) required. Recreational: Register at faadronezone.faa.gov, pass TRUST test. New York City may require additional local permits.
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
- https://parks.ny.gov/
- https://www.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/services/law-enforcement/UA_Permit_Portal_FAQ.pdf
Federal resources: FAA UAS LAANC FAA DroneZone