North Carolina General Statute 15A-300.1 and Chapter 63 Article 10 set statewide rules for unmanned aircraft, including a knowledge test, no-surveillance protections, and limits that preempt cities from imposing inconsistent recreational drone ordinances.
Recreational drone operators in NC must pass the state UAS knowledge test administered by the Department of Transportation Division of Aviation, in addition to FAA TRUST. State law bans using drones to conduct surveillance of a person or private property without consent and prohibits weaponizing drones. Operators may not photograph people on private property in ways that intrude on reasonable privacy expectations. Local governments cannot regulate flight altitude, paths, or pilot qualifications because those are preempted by state and federal law, though they may regulate takeoff and landing on city property.
Surveilling a person without consent, weaponizing a drone, flying without the state knowledge test, or interfering with manned aircraft can result in misdemeanor or felony charges.
Cary, NC
Cary regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound permits available for events. N.C.G.S. §14-288.4 applies to unreasonable disturbances.
Cary, NC
Cary Code of Ordinances Chapter 22, Division 2 prohibits unreasonably loud, disturbing noises that annoy, disturb, or endanger citizens. The ordinance restri...
Cary, NC
Cary regulates construction noise through its general noise ordinance (Chapter 22). Construction activity near residential areas should be confined to reason...
Cary, NC
Cary's noise ordinance covers barking dogs under the general prohibition on disturbing noises. Persistently barking dogs that disturb neighbors may result in...
Cary, NC
Cary's Land Development Ordinance restricts parking of RVs, boats, and trailers in residential areas. These vehicles typically must be stored in rear or side...
Cary, NC
Cary restricts parking of commercial vehicles in residential zones. Large commercial vehicles, semi-trucks, and heavy equipment may not be stored in resident...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wake County.
See how Cary's recreational drones rules stack up against other locations.
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