Oakland County, MI Drone Rules: Recreational Drones (2026)

Section 44809 of Title 49 (the federal Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft) sets the rule for hobby flight. A recreational operator must: (1) fly only for personal enjoyment, (2) follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community-Based Organization such as the Academy of Model Aeronautics, (3) keep the drone within visual line of sight or use a co-located visual observer in direct communication, (4) give way to all manned aircraft, (5) fly at or below 400 ft AGL in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, (6) obtain prior FAA authorization via LAANC before any flight in controlled airspace, (7) carry the TRUST completion certificate, and (8) display the FAA registration number on the exterior of the drone if it is over 250 g. Oakland County contains substantial Class D airspace around Pontiac (PTK) and Troy/Oakland-Troy (VLL), plus the Detroit Metro Class B shelf, so much of the south county requires LAANC clearance even for backyard flight. Local park rules: although MCL 259.305 bars Oakland County and its municipalities from regulating the actual operation of drones, the county and cities retain authority over their own property — meaning a 'no takeoff or landing' rule for a specific county park is generally enforceable as a property-management rule, but a ban on flying over the park from outside its boundary is not.