Monmouth County, NJ Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Recreational drone use in Monmouth County is federally regulated under FAA rules for Recreational Flyers (49 USC §44809). Requirements: FAA registration ($5) for drones over 0.55 lbs, passing the free TRUST test, flying below 400 feet AGL, maintaining visual line of sight, yielding to manned aircraft, and avoiding emergency response. Monmouth airspace considerations: Monmouth Executive Airport (BLM) in Wall Township has a class-E-surface zone; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst restricted area touches southwestern Monmouth; and northern Monmouth is within the NY Class B shelf extending from Newark and JFK. LAANC authorization via B4UFLY or KittyHawk apps is required in controlled airspace. Monmouth County Park System generally prohibits drone takeoff/landing in county parks (Hartshorne Woods, Huber Woods, Holmdel Park, Thompson Park) without advance permit. National Park Service land at Sandy Hook (Gateway National Recreation Area) prohibits drones entirely under 36 CFR 1.5. Asbury Park, Long Branch, and other shore towns prohibit drone operation over beaches during peak summer hours.