Drone Rules in North Carolina (2026)
16 rules on the books across North Carolina, 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.
North Carolina: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsNorth Carolina General Statute 15A-300.1 and related laws set statewide rules for unmanned aircraft, banning drone…
Read full rule →Gastonia
Some RestrictionsGastonia requires every drone operator in the city, recreational or otherwise, to follow all FAA statutes and…
Read full rule →Orange County
Some RestrictionsRecreational drone flying in Orange County runs on federal FAA rules: register a drone over 0.55 lb, pass the TRUST…
Read full rule →Pitt County
Some RestrictionsFlying a recreational drone in Pitt County means keeping it off private land without the owner's consent, away from…
Read full rule →Fayetteville
Few RestrictionsRecreational drone flying in Fayetteville answers to federal law only. North Carolina repealed its drone permit article…
Read full rule →Commercial Drones
Additional permits and requirements for using drones for business purposes like photography, delivery, or inspections.
North Carolina: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsNorth Carolina repealed its state commercial drone operator permit and knowledge test effective December 1, 2024, so…
Read full rule →Orange County
Heavy RestrictionsCommercial drone work in Orange County requires the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. North Carolina scrapped its…
Read full rule →Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsNorth Carolina repealed its entire drone permit article on December 1, 2024. Flying commercially in Fayetteville now…
Read full rule →Pitt County
Light RestrictionsA commercial drone operator flying under FAA Part 107, or under an FAA Certificate of Authorization, is exempt from…
Read full rule →Park Drone Restrictions
Bans on launching, landing, or operating drones in city and county parks, with exceptions for designated model-aircraft fields.
Catawba County
Heavy RestrictionsCatawba County bars taking off, landing or flying any drone in county parks under Code Sec. 20-4(h), which groups…
Read full rule →Gastonia
Significant RestrictionsGastonia bans launching or recovering a drone on any city property without the city manager's prior written approval…
Read full rule →Onslow County
Significant RestrictionsOnslow County requires a permit before anyone voluntarily flies or lands a drone, airplane, balloon, parachute, or…
Read full rule →Pitt County
Significant RestrictionsFlying a drone or any other unmanned aircraft system in a Pitt County park is unlawful unless the operator holds a…
Read full rule →Lincoln County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Lincoln County, § 97.09 bars launching, flying or landing a drone or other aviation apparatus within…
Read full rule →Airport Proximity Rules
No-fly zones near commercial airports, FAA controlled-airspace authorization (LAANC), and additional state/local proximity rules.
Event Drone Restrictions
Temporary flight restrictions over stadiums, parades, and major public events, plus the federal sports-stadium TFR rules.