Drone Rules in New Jersey (2026)
15 rules on the books across New Jersey, 8 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Recreational Drones
Local rules for flying drones as a hobby, including where you can fly, altitude limits, and restrictions near parks and public events.
New Jersey: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsNew Jersey state law (N.J.S.A. 2C:40-27) sets uniform criminal restrictions on drone operations statewide, including…
Read full rule →Atlantic County
Significant RestrictionsAtlantic County caps drone flights at 400 feet, requires line-of-sight operation and current FAA registration, and bars…
Read full rule →Bergen County
Significant RestrictionsFlying a drone, model airplane, or other radio-controlled aircraft anywhere in the Bergen County Park System requires a…
Read full rule →Somerset County
Significant RestrictionsSomerset County Park Commission Regulations treat unmanned aircraft like model airplanes and rockets: flying one is a…
Read full rule →Essex County
Some RestrictionsBeyond the county's own park permit requirement, drone operators on Essex County park property must also comply with…
Read full rule →Hamilton
Some RestrictionsHamilton Township confines recreational drone flying inside its parks to areas set aside for that purpose, and bans it…
Read full rule →Commercial Drones
Additional permits and requirements for using drones for business purposes like photography, delivery, or inspections.
Park Drone Restrictions
Bans on launching, landing, or operating drones in city and county parks, with exceptions for designated model-aircraft fields.
Atlantic County
Significant RestrictionsAtlantic County confines drone and park-flyer flights to two spots at Estell Manor County Park: the North End Field and…
Read full rule →Bergen County
Significant RestrictionsFlying a drone, model airplane, or other radio-controlled aircraft anywhere in the Bergen County Parks System requires…
Read full rule →Essex County
Significant RestrictionsLaunching, landing, or taking off a drone anywhere in an Essex County park or property requires a permit issued by the…
Read full rule →Gloucester County
Significant RestrictionsGloucester County bans flying drones in any county park. Section 2(j) of the Parks Rules & Regulations prohibits…
Read full rule →Mercer County
Significant RestrictionsFlying a drone or any radio controlled aircraft in Mercer County parks requires written permission from the Park…
Read full rule →Passaic County
Significant RestrictionsFlying a drone anywhere on Passaic County park land or water is illegal unless the Director of Parks and Recreation…
Read full rule →Somerset County
Significant RestrictionsSomerset County Park Commission Regulations bar model airplane, rocket, and unmanned aircraft flying, drones…
Read full rule →Event Drone Restrictions
Temporary flight restrictions over stadiums, parades, and major public events, plus the federal sports-stadium TFR rules.