Commercial drone pilots in St. Louis must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and obtain LAANC authorization for flights within Lambert Airport Class B airspace. City property use requires a permit and insurance from the Parks Department or relevant agency.
Commercial and non-hobby drone operations are governed by 14 CFR Part 107. Pilots must be Remote Pilot Certificate holders, register each drone with the FAA, comply with Remote ID, and maintain visual line of sight unless operating under waiver. Flights over people, at night, and beyond visual line of sight require specific Part 107 waivers or operational compliance. Because the City of St. Louis sits within Lambert-St. Louis International (KSTL) Class B airspace, pilots must request LAANC authorization (often capped at 0 to 200 feet AGL over the urban core) before takeoff. Operating on or over city property (parks, city-owned plazas, stadiums, schools) typically requires a filming or commercial use permit, proof of Part 107, and a certificate of insurance listing the City of St. Louis as additional insured. RSMo 305.634 restricts surveillance over critical infrastructure.
FAA civil penalties up to $32,666 per violation and criminal referral for reckless operation. City property without a permit is trespass; fines plus permit back-fees apply.
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