Recreational Drones: Savannah vs Tybee Island
How do recreational drones rules compare between Savannah, GA and Tybee Island, GA?
Savannah and Tybee Island have similar restriction levels.
Savannah, GA
Chatham County
Savannah recreational drone use is governed by FAA rules and local ordinances. Drones under 55 lbs must be registered with the FAA. No flying near airports.
View full Savannah rules →Tybee Island, GA
Chatham County
Georgia state law (O.C.G.A. §6-1-4) preempts local governments from regulating private drone operations, so Tybee Island cannot pass its own drone ordinance. The Tybee Island Light Station has private no-fly periods (Mon-Sun 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) during operating hours. FAA Part 107 and recreational rules apply: stay under 400 feet AGL, keep visual line of sight, and register drones over 250g.
View full Tybee Island rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Savannah | Tybee Island |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | FAA required if over 0.55 lbs | Required for >250g (FAA) |
| Max Altitude | 400 feet AGL | 400 ft AGL (FAA) |
| Airports | Restricted airspace, no fly | - |
| TRUST Test | Required for all flyers | - |
| State Preemption | - | O.C.G.A. §6-1-4 |
| Lighthouse No-Fly | - | Wed-Mon 9-5:30 (operating hrs) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Savannah FAQ
Do I need to register my drone?
Yes, drones over 0.55 lbs must be registered with the FAA. Cost is $5 for 3 years.
Can I fly in Savannah parks?
Many parks restrict or prohibit drones. Check Savannah parks department for specific rules.
Tybee Island FAQ
Are drones banned on Tybee Island?
No. Georgia state law (O.C.G.A. §6-1-4) preempts local drone regulation, so Tybee Island cannot ban drones. Recreational flight is allowed under FAA Part 107/recreational rules — stay under 400 ft, keep line of sight, and register drones over 250g.
Can I fly my drone over the Tybee Island Lighthouse?
Not during operating hours (Wed-Mon 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) — the Light Station has posted a private no-fly request for visitor safety. Outside those hours, FAA rules apply.
Compare other topics
See how Savannah and Tybee Island 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