Drone Rules in Yakima, WA (2026)

Recreational Drones

Federal law preempts local regulation of the navigable airspace over Yakima. Recreational flyers operate under 49 U.S.C. § 44809 (visual line of sight, ≤ 400 ft AGL, Remote ID, FAA TRUST safety test, FAA registration if over 0.55 lbs); commercial operations require a 14 CFR Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Washington state layers civil rules on top: RCW 47.68.380 makes it unlawful to operate a drone over real property without the owner/occupant's consent (Class 2 civil infraction); WSDOT registers commercial UAS; RCW 9A.44.115 (voyeurism) covers privacy-invasive overflight. Yakima has no city-wide drone ordinance but may regulate take-off/landing on city property (parks, public buildings).