Recreational Drones: Auburn vs Bellevue
How do recreational drones rules compare between Auburn, WA and Bellevue, WA?
Auburn and Bellevue have similar restriction levels.
Auburn, WA
King County
Recreational drone use in Auburn is governed by FAA rules (49 USC 44809 and TRUST test) with no local drone-specific ordinance. City parks and airport airspace near Auburn Municipal Airport have restrictions.
View full Auburn rules →Bellevue, WA
King County
Recreational drone operation in King County is primarily governed by FAA 14 CFR Part 107 and the FAA Recreational Flyer rules. Drones must be registered if over 250 grams, stay under 400 feet AGL, and avoid restricted airspace around Sea-Tac Airport. King County Parks prohibits drone takeoff and landing in most county parks.
View full Bellevue rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Auburn | Bellevue |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Law | 49 USC 44809, FAA TRUST required | - |
| Local Code | No Auburn-specific drone ordinance | - |
| Airport Airspace | S50 controlled, use LAANC | - |
| Park Use | Restricted in Auburn parks | - |
| Federal Rule | - | FAA 14 CFR Part 107 |
| Max Altitude | - | 400 ft AGL |
| Near Airports | - | LAANC authorization required |
| County Parks | - | No takeoff/landing most parks |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Auburn FAQ
Do I need a license to fly my drone recreationally in Auburn?
Yes. The FAA requires passing the free TRUST test and registering drones over 0.55 pounds before flying recreationally. Auburn has no separate hobby license.
Can I fly my drone in an Auburn city park?
Generally no. Auburn Parks rules restrict drone takeoff and landing in parks, and nearby Auburn Municipal Airport airspace requires LAANC authorization for most locations.
Bellevue FAQ
Can I fly a drone in King County?
Yes, as a recreational flyer you must follow FAA rules: register drones over 250 grams, take the TRUST test, stay under 400 feet AGL, keep visual line of sight, and avoid controlled airspace near Sea-Tac, Boeing Field, and Renton airports without LAANC authorization. County parks generally prohibit takeoff and landing.
Where can I fly a drone in King County?
Best options are open areas on private property with owner permission, designated model aircraft fields, and areas outside controlled airspace. Use the B4UFLY app or FAA LAANC to verify airspace. Avoid flying over people, over highways, at night without waiver, or above 400 feet. Stay away from Sea-Tac and other airports unless authorized.
Compare other topics
See how Auburn and Bellevue compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool