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Maricopa County, AZ Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Few Restrictions

Verified 1 month ago|Source: Federal Aviation Administration →

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Key Facts

Authority: FAA preempts local drone regulation
Altitude: Below 400 feet AGL
TRUST Test: Required for recreational pilots
Privacy: ARS 13-3729 prohibits drone surveillance
County Ordinance

City-specific rules exist: Goodyear, Chandler, Tempe, Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Gilbert, Peoria, and Scottsdale have their own recreational drones rules that differ from Maricopa County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Summary

Recreational drone use in Maricopa County is governed primarily by FAA regulations, not county ordinances. FAA requires recreational drone pilots to pass the TRUST (Recreational UAS Safety Test). Drones must be flown below 400 feet AGL, within visual line of sight, and not over people. Arizona state law (ARS 13-3729) prohibits using drones to conduct surveillance of private property. No specific county drone ordinance exists for unincorporated areas.

Full Breakdown

Maricopa County has no county-specific drone ordinance for unincorporated areas; recreational drone use is governed entirely by FAA regulations and Arizona state law. Pilots must pass the FAA TRUST exam, fly below 400 feet AGL, maintain visual line of sight, and avoid controlled airspace near Sky Harbor, Deer Valley, Falcon Field, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, and Buckeye airports without LAANC authorization. Arizona law ARS 13-3729 makes it a Class 3 misdemeanor to use a drone to intentionally photograph or surveil a person on private property without consent. In Maricopa County regional parks, drone use may be restricted by posted park rules, and flying over wildfire scenes is a federal offense. The FAA B4UFLY app is recommended to check airspace restrictions before flying in the county.

Violations & Fines

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Maricopa County code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit from Maricopa County to fly a recreational drone?

No county permit is required. Maricopa County has no county-specific drone ordinance. Recreational drone use is governed by FAA regulations: pass the TRUST exam, fly below 400 feet AGL, maintain visual line of sight, and check airspace restrictions using the FAA B4UFLY app.

Can I fly a drone near Sky Harbor or other airports in Maricopa County?

You cannot fly in controlled airspace near Sky Harbor, Deer Valley, Falcon Field, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, or Buckeye airports without LAANC authorization. Always check airspace restrictions using the FAA B4UFLY app before flying anywhere in Maricopa County.

Is it legal to fly a drone over someone's property in Maricopa County?

Arizona law ARS 13-3729 makes it a Class 3 misdemeanor to use a drone to intentionally photograph or surveil a person on private property without consent. Simply flying over property is not illegal, but surveillance or photography of people is restricted.

How does Maricopa County compare?

See how Maricopa County's recreational drones rules stack up against other locations.

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Maricopa County, AZ Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

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