2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Oakland County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational drone use in Oakland County is governed by federal law (49 USC 44809 and FAA Part 107 where applicable). Michigan state law (MCL 259.305) preempts every Oakland County city, township, and the county itself from enacting any ordinance that regulates the ownership or operation of unmanned aircraft. Hobbyists must register any drone weighing more than 0.55 lb (250 g) with the FAA ($5 for 3 years), pass the free online Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof while flying, keep the aircraft within visual line of sight, stay at or below 400 ft AGL in Class G airspace, and obtain LAANC authorization before flying in the controlled airspace around Oakland County International (PTK), Coleman A. Young (DET), or Detroit Metro (DTW).
MCL 259.305
Except as expressly authorized by statute, a political subdivision shall not enact or enforce an ordinance or resolution that regulates the ownership or operation of unmanned aircraft.
Commercial drone work in Oakland County — real estate photography in Bloomfield Hills, roof inspections in Troy, construction progress shoots in Auburn Hills, wedding video in Birmingham — requires the pilot to hold an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR Part 107. Michigan law (MCL 259.305) preempts every Oakland County jurisdiction from imposing additional local commercial-drone rules. The Part 107 pilot must register each aircraft over 250 g ($5 per drone, 3 years), keep the drone within visual line of sight, fly at or below 400 ft AGL or within 400 ft of a structure, stay under 100 mph ground speed, fly only in daylight or civil twilight (or with anti-collision lighting at night), and obtain LAANC authorization for any flight in the Class B, C, D, or surface E airspace covering most of southern Oakland County.
MCL 259.305
Except as expressly authorized by statute, a political subdivision shall not enact or enforce an ordinance or resolution that regulates the ownership or operation of unmanned aircraft.
1 cities in Oakland County have their own drone rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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