Recreational drone flights over St. Joseph County follow federal law 49 U.S.C. § 44809: register drones over 250 grams, pass the TRUST test, stay below 400 feet, and keep visual line of sight. South Bend International Airport airspace needs LAANC authorization.
St. Joseph County does not regulate recreational drones; the FAA controls the airspace over South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, and Notre Dame. Under 49 U.S.C. § 44809 you may fly for fun without a Part 107 certificate if you register any drone over 250 grams, pass the free TRUST test, keep the drone within visual line of sight, stay below 400 feet, and yield to crewed aircraft. Much of the county sits under controlled airspace around South Bend International Airport, where LAANC authorization is required. Indiana adds IC 35-33-5-9, which bars police from using a drone over private property without a warrant, and IC 35-46-8.5-1 penalizes unlawful surveillance.
The FAA can impose civil penalties in the thousands of dollars for flying an unregistered drone, above 400 feet, or in controlled airspace without authorization. Spying on private property can trigger Indiana unlawful surveillance charges under IC 35-46-8.5-1.
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