Drone Rules in Apex, NC (2026)

Recreational Drones

Federal law preempts municipal regulation of the airspace over Apex. Recreational flyers operate under 49 U.S.C. § 44809 (visual line of sight, below 400 ft AGL, Remote ID, TRUST safety test, registration if over 0.55 lbs); commercial flyers need an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. North Carolina layers state rules on top: NCGS 15A-300.1 bars surveillance and photography of persons and private property without consent; NCGS 15A-300.3 prohibits operations near correctional / detention / public power facilities; NCGS 14-401.24 makes attaching a weapon to a drone a Class E felony; and NCGS 14-401.24A bars operating over a crowd of 100+ without consent. NCDOT-issued Knowledge Test and Operator/Commercial UAS Permit required for NC commercial use.