Ulster County, NY Drone Rules: Commercial Drones (2026)

Commercial drone flight in Ulster County is governed exclusively by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 107. Pilots must pass the FAA Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test, register the UAS with the FAA ($5 per aircraft), display the registration number externally, and comply with Remote ID (14 CFR Part 89) since September 2023. Flight is limited to 400 ft AGL, daylight or civil twilight (unless Part 107.29 waiver), within visual line of sight, and not over non-participants without §107.39 operations-over-people waiver. Ulster County airspace considerations: Stewart International Airport (SWF) Class D airspace extends southeast into the county and requires LAANC authorization via apps like Aloft or Kittyhawk; Kingston-Ulster Airport (20N) is uncontrolled Class G with no drone restrictions but traffic awareness is expected. Restricted airspace: West Point Military Reservation (R-5207, R-5208) south of the county borders — flights within restricted areas require military clearance. NY Parks and DEC Forest Preserve rules prohibit takeoff/landing from State Parks (Minnewaska, Mohonk Preserve partnership lands) and Catskill Forest Preserve lands without permit (6 NYCRR §190.8 prohibits disturbing wildlife). Flights over NYC watershed reservoirs are restricted by NYC DEP regulations.