Garden Home-Whitford Drone Rules: Recreational Drones Rules (2026)

Recreational drone operation is governed federally by the FAA under 49 USC §44809 (the Exception for Recreational Flyers) and Oregon's aerial trespass statutes at ORS 837.300-837.390. Drones over 0.55 lb must be FAA-registered; operators must pass the TRUST test and carry proof. Standard rules: under 400 ft AGL, visual line of sight, no flying over people or moving vehicles, daylight-or-twilight with anti-collision lights. Hillsboro Airport (HIO) Class D airspace covers a 4-5 mile radius and 2,500-ft ceiling centered on HIO — this blankets downtown Hillsboro, Orenco Station, Tanasbourne, parts of Aloha, and reaches Cornelius. LAANC authorization required through an FAA-approved app (Aloft, AirMap) even for recreational flight. Washington County parks prohibit drone launches without permission at Cooper Mountain Nature Park, Tualatin Hills Nature Park, Fernhill Wetlands, and Metro-managed sites. State law ORS 837.380 prohibits flying over private property below 400 ft without permission if the operator has been told to stop. Photographing government facilities (jails, federal buildings) may violate ORS 837.372.