Commercial drone work in Clearwater requires an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate, compliance with Florida statutes 330.41 and 934.50, and county park permission for any takeoff or landing on public land.
Operators flying drones for compensation or business purposes in Clearwater must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and follow all federal flight rules, including airspace authorizations near St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (Class C) and the Tampa Class B shelves. Florida Statute 330.41 preempts city-level drone licensing, but real-estate, surveying, inspection, and aerial photography operators still need permission from any private or public landowner where the drone takes off or lands. Pinellas County requires advance approval for commercial flights from county parks and beaches, and F.S. 934.50 prohibits using drones for surveillance of property without consent, with limited exceptions for licensed professionals. Insurance carrying commercial general liability is widely required by clients, and flights for newsgathering or government use have additional carve-outs.
Flying commercially without a Part 107 certificate or proper airspace authorization can lead to FAA civil penalties, while county trespass and state surveillance violations may carry misdemeanor charges and fines.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Pinellas County.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle commercial drones.
See how Clearwater's commercial drones rules stack up against other locations.
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