North Carolina Statewide Rule

Recreational Drone Rules and Preemption in North Carolina

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across North Carolina (2026)

Key Facts

Statute: N.C.G.S. 15A-300.1
FAA requirement: TRUST test and registration
Surveillance ban: Without consent
Weaponization: Felony (G.S. 14-401.24)

Last verified: August 20, 2026Source: North Carolina General Assembly

Summary

North Carolina General Statute 15A-300.1 and related laws set statewide rules for unmanned aircraft, banning drone surveillance without consent and weaponized drones, while federal law and FAA rules govern recreational flight itself.

(b) General Prohibitions. - Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person, entity, or State agency shall use an unmanned aircraft system to do any of the following: (1) Conduct surveillance of: a. A person or a dwelling occupied by a person and that dwelling's curtilage without the person's consent. b. Private real property without the consent of the owner, easement holder, or lessee of the property. (2) Photograph an individual, without the individual's consent, for the purpose of publishing or otherwise publicly disseminating the photograph. This subdivision shall not apply to newsgathering, newsworthy events, or events or places to which the general public is invited.

Source: North Carolina General AssemblyView official code

Full Breakdown

Recreational drone pilots in North Carolina follow federal FAA rules, including the free TRUST safety test and drone registration. The state's own operator permitting statutes in Chapter 63 were repealed effective December 1, 2024. State law still bans using drones to conduct surveillance of a person or private property without consent under G.S. 15A-300.1, prohibits launching or recovering a drone from property without the owner's consent under G.S. 15A-300.2, and makes possessing or using a weaponized drone a felony under G.S. 14-401.24. Local governments cannot regulate flight altitude or paths, which federal law controls, though they may restrict takeoff and landing on city property.

Violations & Penalties

Surveilling a person without consent, weaponizing a drone, or interfering with manned aircraft can result in misdemeanor or felony charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my North Carolina city ban recreational drone flying?

No. Cities cannot regulate airspace use, but they may restrict takeoff and landing in city parks and on municipal property through neutral park rules.

Is it legal to film my neighbor's yard with a drone in NC?

No. State law prohibits using drones to surveil persons or private property without consent and creates a private cause of action for unlawful surveillance.

Sources

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