Bellingham, WA Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Drone operations within Bellingham are governed by a three-layer framework. (1) Federal — the FAA exclusively regulates U.S. airspace under 14 CFR Part 107 (commercial Remote Pilot Certificate) and the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations (49 U.S.C. § 44809), which requires recreational flyers to keep the aircraft within visual line of sight, below 400 feet AGL, away from other aircraft, registered if over 0.55 lbs (FAA Part 48), display Remote ID, and pass the TRUST safety test. Bellingham International Airport (KBLI) generates a Class D controlled airspace surface area; flying a drone there as a recreational flyer requires LAANC authorization through the FAA's B4UFLY or an approved provider. (2) State of Washington — RCW 9A.44.115 (Voyeurism) criminalizes use of a recording device, including a drone, to view or record another person's intimate areas without consent. Trespass-by-drone civil claims are reachable under RCW 4.24 and common-law trespass; launching, landing, or operating in a way that intrudes on private property exposes the operator to civil liability. Note that RCW 47.68.380 specifically addresses aerial search-and-rescue liability — it is not a general drone-overflight statute. (3) Local — BMC 10.56.020 (Aerial activities permit – Required when) requires a City permit for certain aerial activities within Bellingham city limits, including the release of any object from aircraft and aerobatic displays or similar events involving aircraft flying below FAA-established altitude limits, plus intermittent flights (four or fewer per year) originating from or arriving at private property other than a licensed airport. Park-specific drone rules at city parks fall under BMC Title 10 / Parks rules and are administered by the Parks Department. The Port of Bellingham — which operates Bellingham International Airport — publishes UAS guidance requiring FAA authorization before flying in the Class D surface area.