Recreational Drones: Boston vs Revere
How do recreational drones rules compare between Boston, MA and Revere, MA?
Boston and Revere have similar restriction levels.
Boston, MA
Suffolk County
Recreational drone use in Boston is primarily governed by FAA regulations. Boston falls within restricted airspace near Logan Airport, requiring LAANC authorization for most flights. City parks prohibit drone use without Parks Department permission. Drones must be registered with the FAA and operators must pass the TRUST recreational safety test.
View full Boston rules →Revere, MA
Suffolk County
Recreational drones in Suffolk County face extreme airspace restrictions due to Boston Logan International Airport. Nearly all of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop falls within Class B/D controlled airspace requiring LAANC authorization.
View full Revere rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boston | Revere |
|---|---|---|
| Airspace | Class B — LAANC authorization required | - |
| Registration | Required for drones 0.55–55 lbs | - |
| Safety Test | TRUST required for recreational | - |
| City Parks | Prohibited without Parks Dept permission | - |
| Max Altitude | 400 feet AGL | Often 0-50 ft near Logan |
| Logan Airspace | - | Class B — LAANC required |
| FAA Registration | - | Required over 0.55 lbs |
| Boston Parks | - | Prohibited without permit |
| Harbor Islands | - | Drones banned entirely |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boston FAQ
Can I fly a drone in Boston?
Yes, but with significant restrictions. Most of Boston is in FAA Class B airspace near Logan Airport, requiring LAANC authorization. You must register your drone with the FAA and pass the TRUST safety test. City parks prohibit drones without Parks Department permission.
Do I need permission to fly a drone near Logan Airport?
Yes. Most of Boston falls within Logan Airport's Class B controlled airspace. You must obtain LAANC authorization before any flight. Some areas near the airport may have zero-altitude ceilings where drone flight is completely prohibited.
Revere FAQ
Can I fly a drone in Boston Common?
No — Boston Parks prohibits drone launches in all city parks without special permit, and Boston Common sits within Logan's Class B airspace requiring LAANC authorization. Both permissions are extremely unlikely to be granted for recreational use.
How close can I fly a drone to Logan Airport?
You cannot fly at all in the restricted Class B core around Logan without ATC authorization. LAANC grid cells near Logan are typically 0 ft ceiling. Flight within 5 miles requires advance FAA coordination under 49 USC §44809.
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