Florida Drone Preemption Act for Recreational Use

Fla. Stat. 330.41 (the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act) preempts the entire field of unmanned aircraft regulation to the state. A political subdivision may not enact or enforce an ordinance regulating the design, manufacture, operation, registration, or use of a drone. Recreational pilots must comply with FAA Part 107 hobbyist rules and TRUST registration. Florida's Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act (Fla. Stat. 934.50) prohibits using drones to capture images of private property where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Surveillance violations under Fla. Stat. 934.50 give rise to civil liability with $250 minimum statutory damages plus attorneys' fees. Unauthorized airspace operation is also a federal FAA matter.