St. Petersburg vs Tarpon Springs
How do recreational drones rules compare between St. Petersburg, FL and Tarpon Springs, FL?
St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs have similar restriction levels.
St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
Recreational drone pilots in St. Petersburg must follow FAA Part 107 hobbyist rules, complete the TRUST exam, and avoid takeoff or landing in Pinellas County parks without written permission.
View full St. Petersburg rules →Tarpon Springs, FL
Pinellas County
Florida statutes preempt most local drone regulation, so recreational pilots in Tarpon Springs follow FAA Part 107 hobbyist rules and Florida's privacy and surveillance statutes rather than a separate city ordinance.
View full Tarpon Springs rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | St. Petersburg | Tarpon Springs |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Federal authority | - | FAA Part 107 / TRUST |
| State privacy law | - | FS 934.50 surveillance |
| State preemption | - | FS 330.41 limits cities |
| Altitude ceiling | - | 400 feet AGL |
| City property | - | Takeoff may need approval |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
St. Petersburg FAQ
Tarpon Springs FAQ
Can Tarpon Springs ban drones from flying overhead?
No. Florida Statute 330.41 preempts cities from regulating drone flight. The city can only manage takeoff and landing on its own property, such as parks or municipal buildings.
Is it legal to film my neighbor's backyard with a drone?
No. Florida's Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act prohibits recording private property where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy and creates civil and criminal liability.
Compare other topics
See how St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs 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