Drone Laws in North Carolina

Last updated on April 15th, 2023 at 06:27 pm

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the State of North Carolina

Federal Aviation Administration

FAA Drone Website: https://www.faa.gov/uas/

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UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in North Carolina

Drone operation in North Carolina is broadly governed by The Federal USA agency responsible for drone safety, the FAA. Click here for details on FAA USA Drone Laws.

In addition, the North Carolina state legislature has enacted several supplemental rules specific to North Carolina drone operations. The highlights are enumerated below.

Are drones allowed in North Carolina?

Drones are allowed in North Carolina for recreational and commercial use, subject to FAA regulations and flight controls by local governments. Read on for details.

Specific additional drone use laws by the State of North Carolina legislature

Senate Bill SB 744 (2014)

This state law establishes regulations and guidelines for North Carolina recreational, commercial, and government drone operations.

Recreational Drone Operators

Recreational drone operators do not have to obtain a license or permit from the Division of Aviation.

Although not required, the Division encourages recreational drone users to take the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Unmanned Aircraft System Operator’s Knowledge Test ​to learn the rules and regulations for operating drones in North Carolina.

Commercial Drone Operators

• Commercial drone operators must be at least 16 years old.
• Commercial drone operators must take and pass the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Unmanned Aircraft System Operator’s Knowledge Test – a prerequisite to applying for a state permit.
• To obtain a permit, drone operators must provide proof of their remote pilot certificate or other authorization to conduct commercial unmanned aircraft system operations from the FAA​​ (see above, “Federal Restrictions & Requirements).
• Permitted operators agree to these ​​​​terms and conditions.

Government Drone Operators

• Government drone operators must be at least 16 years old.
• Government operators must take and pass the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Unmanned Aircraft System Operator’s Knowledge Test and then apply for a state permit.
• Permitted operators agree to these ​​terms and conditions.

15A-300.1​ ​Restrictions on use of UAS
General Prohibitions​. – No person, entity, or State agency shall use an unmanned aircraft system to do any of the following:
Conduct surveillance of:

1. A person or a dwelling occupied by a person and that dwelling’s curtilage without the person’s consent.
2. A private real property without the consent of the owner, easement holder, or lessee of the property.

Photograph an individual, without the individual’s consent, for the purpose of publishing or otherwise publicly disseminating the photograph. This subdivision shall not apply to newsgathering, newsworthy events, or events or places to which the general public is invited.

Law Enforcement Exceptions​. – The use of unmanned aircraft systems by law enforcement agencies of the State or a political subdivision of the State is not prohibited in the following instances:

1. To counter a high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization if the United States Secretary of Homeland Security or the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety determines that credible intelligence indicates that such a risk exists.
2. To conduct surveillance in an area within a law enforcement officer’s plain view when the officer is in a location the officer has a legal right to be.
3. If the law enforcement agency first obtains a search warrant authorizing the use of an unmanned aircraft system.
4. If the law enforcement agency possesses reasonable suspicion that, under particular circumstances, swift action is needed to prevent imminent danger to life or serious property damage, to forestall the imminent escape of a suspect or the destruction of evidence, to conduct pursuit of an escapee or suspect, or to facilitate the search for a missing person.
5. To photograph gatherings to which the general public is invited on public or private land.

15A-300.2​ ​Regulation of launch and recovery sites

1. No unmanned aircraft system may be launched or recovered from any State or private property without consent.
2. A local government unit may adopt an ordinance to regulate the use of the local government’s property to launch or recover unmanned aircraft systems. (2014-100, s. 34.30(a).)
   (This includes ​state parks​ – North Carolina administrative code 13B.1204 prohibits drones from ascending or taking off within or upon any state park area or state park water surface. UAS may be operated after obtaining a ​special activity permit​ from the Park.)

15A-300.3​ ​Use of an unmanned aircraft system near confinement or correctional facility prohibited
Prohibition​. – No person, entity, or State agency shall use an unmanned aircraft system within either a horizontal distance of 500 feet or a vertical distance of 250 feet from any local confinement facility, as defined in G.S. 153A-217, or State or federal correctional facility. 

Penalty​. – The following penalties apply for violations of this section:

1. A person who uses an unmanned aircraft system (i) in violation of subsection (a) of this section or (ii) according to an exception in subsection (b) of this section and who delivers, or attempts to deliver, a weapon to a local confinement facility or State or federal correctional facility is guilty of a Class H felony, which shall include a fine of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500). For purposes of this subdivision, the term “weapon” is as defined in G.S. 14-401.24(c).
2. A person who uses an unmanned aircraft system (i) in violation of subsection (a) of this section or (ii) under an exception in subsection (b) of this section and who delivers, or attempts to deliver, contraband to a local confinement facility or State or federal correctional facility is guilty of a Class I felony, which shall include a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000). For purposes of this subdivision, the term “contraband” includes controlled substances, as defined in G.S. 90-87, cigarettes, alcohol, and communication devices but does not include weapons.
3. A person who uses an unmanned aircraft system in violation of subsection (a) of this section for any other purpose is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, which shall include a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00).

14-7.45​ ​Crimes committed by use of UAS
All crimes committed by use of an unmanned aircraft system, as defined in ​G.S.15A- 300.1​, while in flight over this State shall be governed by the laws of this State, and the question of whether the conduct by an unmanned aircraft system while in flight over this State constitutes a crime by the owner of the unmanned aircraft system shall be determined by the laws of this State.

14.280.3​ ​Interference with manned aircraft by UAS
Class H felony to any person who willfully damages, disrupts the operation of, or otherwise interferes with a manned aircraft through the use of an unmanned aircraft system, while the manned aircraft is taking off, landing, in flight, or otherwise in motion.

14.401.24​ ​Unlawful possession and use of UAS (Weapon attached)
It shall be a Class E felony for any person to possess or use an unmanned or unmanned aircraft system with a weapon attached.

It is a Class 1 misdemeanor to fish or to hunt using an unmanned aircraft system.

It is a Class A1 misdemeanor to publish or disseminate images taken through infrared or other thermal imaging technology attached to an unmanned aircraft system revealing individuals, materials, or activities inside of a structure without the property owner’s consent.

Specific additional UAV laws by local governments within North Carolina

Town of Beech Mountain | Municipal Ordinance // 2017

Town ordinance No. 2017 prohibits drone operations from all town-owned property without official written permission, granted by the Town Manager or designee. Banned areas exist to maintain public safety, including common regions and public vehicular areas.

Town of Chapel Hill | Municipal Ordinance

The regulations adopted for the town will be the same as the existing federal laws for small aircrafts, the Code of Federal Regulations Title 14, part 107 of the Federal Aviation Administration.

City of Kannapolis | Municipal Law

This city ordinance prohibits operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), including drones and other types of flying machines, in all city parks. The only exception is for those granted special permission from the city manager.

UAS operation rules in Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Preserves

NCAC 13B .1204 (2018)

This administrative code prohibits the take-off, ascending, and recovery of any airplane from all state parks and state park waters. That includes drones and all other types of UAS and flying contraptions. The only exception is those who have a permit to operate at Jockey’s Ridge State Park or a Special Activity Permit to fly, issued by the park authority.

Gaston County | Parks & Recreation Drone Policy

This county policy bans all drone operations from Gaston County Park. Exceptions are available for pilots with a special permit (written license) by the department. Otherwise, drone operations are restricted to the special use facility at Lewis Brooks Airfield, Bessemer City.

City of Raleigh | Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Resources Drone Policy

This city policy sets out the parks, recreational spaces, and cultural areas that allow/disallow drone operations. Current UAS bans include the following:

1. Nature preserves
2. Nature parks
3. Wetland centers
4. Cemeteries (graveyards)
5. City lakes

Six parks have designated areas for recreational drone use between dawn and dusk.

1. Baileywick Park
2. Eastgate Park
3. Spring Forest Park
4. Marsh Creek Park
5. Dorothea Dix Park
6. Southgate Park

Specific additional UAV laws in Jurisdictions within North Carolina

Counties or towns within North Carolina may have specific restrictions within their jurisdictions. We recommend checking the local jurisdiction for the latest regulations.

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in North Carolina

If you have a small drone of less than 55 pounds, you can fly recreationally by following the Drone Laws in the USA defined by FAA Part 107 guidelines.

IN NORTH CAROLINA, recreational UAS operations (i.e., flying for recreational purposes) are approved under Federal law, specifically the FAA Part 107. Please check the specific state jurisdiction for additional permissions, licensing, or clearance requirements.

Following these rules will keep you and your drone safe and help keep the airspace available to everyone.

The law requires that all recreational flyers pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test and provide proof of passage if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel. The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) was developed to meet this requirement. 

TRUST provides education and testing on important safety and regulatory information. If you fly your drone recreationally under the Exception for Recreational Flyers, you must pass the test before you fly. 

Note: If your drone weighs more than .55 pounds (lbs), you must register your drone through the FAA‘s Drone Zone.

For a complete discussion on drone registration, see our Drone Registration Explainer.

To fly your drone as a recreational flyer, it’s as easy as 1-2-3

1. Understand recreational flying requirements
   • Note: Non-recreational drone flying includes things like taking photos to help sell a property or service, doing roof inspections, or taking pictures of a high school football game for the school’s website. Goodwill can also be considered non-recreational. This would include volunteering to use your drone to survey coastlines on behalf of a non-profit organization. If you’re unsure which rules apply to your flight, fly under Part 107 (See below).
   • Visit the Recreational Flyers page to learn about the rules for recreational flyers.
   • Download the FAA’s B4UFLY mobile app for more recreational drone flying resources.
2. Take TRUST
   • You may take the free online test through any of the FAA-approved test administrators.
   • All FAA-approved TRUST test administrators offer the test free.
   • All test questions are correctable to 100% prior to issuing your completion certificate.
   • After completing TRUST, you’ll need to download, save or print your completion certificate.
   • If you lose your certificate, you will need to retake TRUST.
   • View a list of TRUST Test Administrators
3. Receive your certificate
   • After you pass the test, you will receive a certificate from the test administrator you selected.
   • Test administrators will not keep a record of your certificate. If law enforcement officers ask, you must present a copy of your certificate.

General Rules for Recreational Flyers

The Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft (USC 44809) is the law that describes how, when, and where you can fly drones for recreational purposes. Following these rules helps keep people, your drone, and our airspace safe:

1. Fly only for recreational purposes (personal enjoyment).
2. Follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community-Based Organization (CBO).
   For more information on how to become an FAA-recognized CBO, read Advisory Circular 91-57C.
3. Keep your drone within the visual line of sight, or use a visual observer who is co-located (physically next to) and in direct communication with you.
4. Give way to and do not interfere with other aircraft.
5. Fly at or below FAA-authorized altitudes in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and surface Class E designated for an airport) only with prior FAA authorization by using LAANC or DroneZone.
6. Fly at or below 400 feet in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace.
   Note: Flying drones in restricted airspace is not allowed. Drone pilots should always check for airspace restrictions prior to flight on our B4UFLY app or the UAS Facility Maps webpage.
7. Take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof of test passage when flying.
8. Have a current FAA registration, mark (PDF) your drones on the outside with the registration number, and carry proof of registration when flying.
   Note: Beginning September 16, 2023, if your drone requires an FAA registration number, it will also be required to broadcast Remote ID information.
9. Do not operate your drone in a manner that endangers the safety of the national airspace system.

Recreational drone pilots should know that if they violate these safety requirements and/or operate their drone flight carelessly or recklessly, they could be liable for criminal and/or civil penalties.

You do not need a drone license if your drone use is recreational and falls within the scope of 44809. However, to fly your drone commercially or under the FAA’s Small UAS Rule (Part 107), you must first obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC), also known as a drone license or a Part 107 certificate. You may want to get your drone license for the flexibility it allows in your drone flights.

For more details on drone licensing, please see our Drone License Explainer.

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in North Carolina

If you have a small unmanned aircraft less than 55 pounds, you can fly for work or business by following the Drone Laws in the USA defined by FAA Part 107 guidelines.

Commercial drone operations in North Carolina are approved under the FAA Part 107. Please check the specific state jurisdiction for additional permissions, licensing, or clearance requirements.

For a complete review of the FAA Part 107 regulation please see our comprehensive FAA 107 Explainer.

Note: The Operations Over People rule became effective on April 21, 2021. Drone pilots operating under Part 107 may fly at night, over people and moving vehicles without a waiver as long as they meet the requirements defined in the rule. Airspace authorizations are still required for night operations in controlled airspace under 400 feet.

If you have a small drone of fewer than 55 pounds, you can fly for work or business by following the Part 107 guidelines. To fly under Part 107 rules, there are three main steps.

Step 1: Learn the Rules

Ensure you understand what is and is not allowed under Part 107 rules.

• 14 CFR Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

If you are unsure if Part 107 rules work for you and your intended operation, check our user identification tool.

Some operations will require a waiver. Here are the regulations specified in §107.205 that are subject to waiver:

• Operation from a moving vehicle or aircraft – §107.25
• Operation at Night – §107.29(a)(2) and (b)
• Visual line of sight aircraft operation – §107.31
• Visual observer – §107.33
• Operation of multiple small unmanned aircraft systems – §107.35
• Yielding the right of way – §107.37(a)
• Operation over human beings – §107.39
• Operation in certain airspace – §107.41
• Operating limitations for small unmanned aircraft – §107.51
• Operations Over Moving Vehicles – §107.145

Learn more about Part 107 Waivers.

Drone operators should avoid flying near airports because it is difficult for crewed aircraft to see and avoid a drone while flying. Remember that the drone operator must avoid manned aircraft and are responsible for any safety hazard their drone creates in an airport environment.

Step 2: Become an FAA-Certified Drone Pilot by Passing the Knowledge Test

For more details on drone licensing, please see our Drone License Explainer.

To be eligible to get your Remote Pilot Certificate, you must be:

• At least 16 years old
• Able to read, write, speak, and understand English
• Be in a physical and mental condition to safely fly a UAS

Study for the Knowledge Test

• Review Knowledge Test Suggested Study Materials provided by the FAA.

Obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN)

• Create an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile before registering for the knowledge test.

Schedule an Appointment

• Take the Knowledge Test at an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center.

Complete FAA Form 8710-13

• Once you’ve passed your test for a remote pilot certificate (FAA Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application), log in to the FAA Integrated Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application system (IACRA)* to complete FAA form 8710-13.
• Review the entire process to get your Remote Pilot Certificate.

Step 3: Register your Drone with the FAA

For a complete discussion on drone registration, see our Drone Registration Explainer.

Registration costs $5 and is valid for three years. You’ll need a credit or debit card and the make and model of your drone handy in order to register. Learn more about registering your drone.

• Create an account and register your drone at FAADroneZone. Select “Fly sUAS under Part 107.”
• Once you’ve registered, mark your drone (PDF) with your registration number in case it gets lost or stolen.

Commercial rules in Parks, Recreation, and Cultural reserves

We suggest you contact the local parks agencies and check for specific permissions required.

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Useful published information on flying drones in North Carolina

We have partnered with the FAA and other drone enthusiasts in supporting an internet educational campaign called Know Before You Fly. The tips, pointers, and resources also apply to North Carolina Drone Users. Please visit the site for additional information: Know Before You Fly

Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International – Mostly for commercial drone service providers and users.

Academy of Model Aeronautics – Mostly for hobbyists

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NOTE: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Small UAS, Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and drone are interchangeable terms unless specified. Model Aircraft, toy, remote-controlled, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.

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Traveling with a Drone?

Click here to read our Comprehensive Guide For Traveling With A Drone.

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