Showing ordinances that apply to Southold, NY
Southold is an unincorporated community (population 6,040) in Suffolk County, New York. Because Southold is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, Suffolk County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The commercial drones rules below are the ones that govern your area.
Commercial drone operators in Suffolk County must hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and obtain LAANC authorization for all Class C (ISP) and Class D (Gabreski, East Hampton) airspace. Real estate, construction, and event operators also need county park permits and may need beach permits from individual towns.
Part 107 requires Remote Pilot Certificate (aeronautical knowledge test, 175 dollar fee, biennial recurrent). LAANC authorization is instant for standard operations up to UAS Facility Map ceiling at ISP, which shows 0-400 ft grids; many coastal Suffolk areas near ISP are 0-100 ft. Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), operations over people, and night flight over 400 ft require specific waivers. Suffolk County Parks requires special use permit for commercial drone filming at Smith Point, Cupsogue, and other beaches; fees 100-500 dollars plus insurance. East Hampton and Southampton film permits required for commercial operations on Hamptons beaches. Remote ID compliance mandatory since September 2023. Insurance not federally required but clients and town permits commonly require 1-5 million dollars liability.
Operating without Part 107: up to 27,500 dollars civil penalty. No LAANC in controlled airspace: 27,500 dollars. Flying over people without waiver: 27,500 dollars. No Remote ID: 27,500 dollars.
See how Southold's commercial drones rules stack up against other locations.
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