Legal Restrictions: Understanding FAA Rules and State Laws About Drone Use
So many UAS owners enjoy flying for fun. Still, drone operators must comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and often additional state-level legal restrictions. According to the FAA, here are the key drone flying restrictions:
- Maximum flying altitude: 400 feet above ground level
- No flying near airports, stadiums, or military bases
- No flying at night without proper authorization
- Drones over 0.55 lbs must broadcast a Remote ID
- No flying over people or moving vehicles
- You can't fly your drone beyond your visual line of sight
It's illegal to break any of these rules. Doing so may result in arrests, fines, and even jail time.
Each state has its own drone laws, particularly around airspace, trespass, and privacy concerns. [View a chart of state laws on drone usage here.] Using a drone to intrude on private property or take photos or videos of people without their consent? That's going to get you in trouble.
Privacy Concerns: What If a Drone Is Flying Over Your Property?
If an unauthorized drone is flying near your home or appears to be capturing images or video without consent:
- Document the incident, including the date, time, and location of the drone activity
- Capture video or photographs for evidence
- Contact local law enforcement and report the incident. Be sure to file a complaint officially if a drone pilot has become an ongoing nuisance.
- Submit any registration data gathered via RDID to the FAA or police
Privacy violations are generally considered civil matters, but this evidence can support legal action such as restraining orders or lawsuits.
Why RDID Is the Smartest Civilian Option to Prevent Drones
Most unmanned aircraft don’t broadcast identifying information that the average person can detect, but RDID changes that. Spotter Global’s RDID system:
- Detects UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) in real time
- Tracks drone flying paths and pilot locations
- Log registration numbers for future reporting
Even if the drone pilot flies away, RDID may gather enough information for FAA officials or local law enforcement to follow up. If unauthorized drones are an ongoing nuisance, RDID helps you keep drones from violating your airspace.
Why You Shouldn’t Attempt to Take Down a Drone Yourself
While it may be tempting to use net guns, signal jamming, lasers, or spoofing techniques, these are almost always illegal for private individuals. Such methods can be dangerous and illegal in many jurisdictions, risking reckless endangerment or violations of federal communications law.
The FAA considers drones as aircraft, and taking one down is treated similarly to attacking a manned aircraft. That’s a federal crime.
How Law Enforcement Is Responding to Unauthorized Drones
Police departments are increasingly aware of safety and privacy concerns tied to drone use. Many now use drone detection technologies or their unmanned aircraft for public safety monitoring. Reporting suspicious or reckless drone activity helps build a stronger case for regulation and enforcement.
What Happens When Drones Fly Too High?
Drones flying above 400 feet can interfere with navigable airspace and manned aircraft. In January 2025, a drone flying over this legal limit nearly collided with a firefighting aircraft during the California wildfires. Such irresponsible drone use can have life-threatening consequences.
The Importance of Controlled Airspace
Nearly half of all near-miss incidents with aircraft involve drones. Unauthorized drones entering controlled airspace—near airports, stadiums, or military installations—without FAA authorization are in serious violation and may face significant fines or imprisonment.
What falls under the legal use of drones?
If you fly your drone courteously, within your visual line of sight, under 400ft and away from restricted areas and private property, you should be fine. Anyone sees you flying your drone unsafely, they may just call the police in to chat with you. Remember, no flying around airports, stadiums, public gatherings, critical infrastructure, or buildings set apart for the military or government.
You are allowed to fly your recreational drone in parks, clear public areas, and low-risk rural areas. Just make sure you do so in a safe and responsible way.
And if anyone does knock your drone out of the sky, remember, you have rights too.
Final Thoughts: Legal Ways to Disable a Drone
If a recreational or smaller drone is flying over your property and you suspect unauthorized or unsafe behavior, document it and report it. Don’t take the law into your own hands. If you're an unathorized civilian, shooting a drone down is never a good idea.
Use tools like RDID to gather data so law enforcement can respond appropriately.
If you fly drones, follow FAA rules, respect private property, and avoid unsafe or intrusive drone operations. Commercial drone pilots must hold a valid Part 107 pilot certificate and adhere to legal restrictions, including respecting privacy and staying within authorized airspace.
Responsible drone use keeps the skies safer for everyone.