Recreational drone flight in Pinellas Park is governed by FAA rules under 49 USC 44809 and Florida Statute 330.41, which preempts local in-air regulation. Pilots must pass TRUST and may not fly over critical infrastructure.
Florida Statute 330.41 (the Florida Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act) preempts cities and counties from regulating drone operation, airspace, altitude, or pilot qualifications. Pinellas Park therefore cannot impose its own in-air drone rules, but it may regulate launch and landing on city-owned property such as parks. Recreational pilots must follow FAA rules: register drones over 0.55 lb, pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), keep visual line of sight, and stay under 400 feet AGL. Florida Statute 934.50 also bars surveillance violations of privacy, and FS 330.41 prohibits flight over critical infrastructure without consent.
Violations can result in FAA fines, state criminal charges under FS 330.41 or 934.50, and trespass or nuisance charges for low-altitude misuse.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle recreational drones.
See how Pinellas Park's recreational drones rules stack up against other locations.
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