Commercial drone operators in Cambridge must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and obtain LAANC authorization for flights in the Boston Class B and Hanscom Class D airspace.
Commercial drone operations in Cambridge are governed by FAA 14 CFR Part 107 and require the pilot to hold a current Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating. Because Cambridge sits within the Boston Class B airspace shelf and within proximity of Hanscom Field Class D airspace, virtually every commercial flight in the city requires prior Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) or a formal Part 107 airspace waiver from the FAA. Massachusetts state law protects privacy against drone surveillance, and Cambridge requires any commercial filming, mapping, or inspection flight that launches from city property or involves city parks, schools, or public events to obtain a filming or event permit from the License Commission, along with proof of liability insurance naming the city as additional insured.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Cambridge, MA
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Cambridge, MA
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Cambridge, MA
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Cambridge, MA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle commercial drones.
See how Cambridge's commercial drones rules stack up against other locations.
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