Commercial drone operators in Minnesota must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and register their aircraft with both the FAA and the Minnesota DOT Office of Aeronautics under Minn. Stat. 360.55, paying state aircraft registration tax annually.
Minnesota is one of the few states requiring state aircraft registration for commercial drones. Under Minn. Stat. 360.55, every aircraft including UAS used for commercial purposes must be registered annually with the MnDOT Office of Aeronautics, with a registration tax based on value. Operators must hold an FAA Part 107 certificate, follow Part 107 operating limits, and obtain waivers for night, beyond-line-of-sight, or over-people operations. State law preempts local airspace regulation but allows local governments to restrict drone takeoff and landing from city-owned land. Failure to register is a misdemeanor under Minn. Stat. 360.075.
Unregistered commercial UAS operations may face misdemeanor charges, FAA enforcement, and back registration tax with penalties under Minn. Stat. 360.55 and 360.65.
See how Prior Lake's commercial drones rules stack up against other locations.
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