Alabama law preempts municipal regulation of unmanned aircraft systems, reserving drone rules to the state and FAA. Recreational pilots must follow FAA Part 107 hobbyist standards and avoid harassment, but cities cannot impose their own flight bans.
Act 2015-292, codified at Code §4-3-100 et seq., expressly preempts Alabama municipalities and counties from regulating ownership or operation of unmanned aircraft systems. Recreational drone pilots must comply with federal FAA rules: register drones over 0.55 pounds, pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), fly below 400 feet, maintain visual line of sight, avoid restricted airspace, and yield to manned aircraft. Alabama also criminalizes using drones to harass hunters or fishermen and to capture images on private property without consent under specific privacy statutes.
Reckless or harassing drone use can be a misdemeanor with fines up to $500 plus possible FAA civil penalties.
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