NCDOT: Unmanned Aircraft Laws & Regulations

Laws & Regulations

The Federal Aviation Administration has exclusive authority over the use of airspace in the United States, including the airspace used by drones. Drone operators must follow all FAA regulations and policies pertaining to the operation of unmanned aircraft systems, including all related to disturbing manned flight and no-fly zones.

The N.C. Department of Transportation has authority to implement and manage regulations that pertain to state laws concerning operations within North Carolina.

The Division of Aviation encourages individuals, businesses, and public and government agencies to learn and comply with all state and federal drone laws and regulations.

State Laws & Regulations

Safety and privacy – two of the public's biggest concerns about drone operation – are addressed in North Carolina Session Law 2014-100 (and updated in Session Law 2024-15).

Below are some of the topics addressed in Session Laws 2014-100 2015-232 and 2017-179. A full summary of North Carolina drone regulations is also available.

Table Caption
Topic	What North Carolina's Law Says
Surveillance	It is illegal to use an unmanned aircraft system to take or distribute images of a person or their home without their consent (N.C. G.S. 15A-300.1 and N.C. G.S. 14-401.25).
Weapons	Attaching a weapon to a UAS is a Class E felony (N.C. G.S. 14-401.24).
Hunting & Fishing	Operators may not use a UAS to disrupt wildlife resources or the lawful taking of wildlife. It is also against the law to use a UAS in the process of taking wildlife resources (N.C. G.S. 113.295).
Fishing Exceptions	Exceptions when using a UAS to fish (N.C. G.S. ) G.S. 14-401.24)
Interference with Manned Flights	Operators may not damage, disrupt the operation of, or otherwise interfere with manned flights (N.C. G.S. 14-280.3).
Launch & Recovery Sites	It is illegal to launch or recover a UAS from either private or state property without the consent of the property's owner (N.C. G.S. 15A-300.2). Local and federal property have their own laws and regulations governing the launch and recovery of UAS.
Prisons	It is illegal to fly a UAS over any prison, state or federal (N.C. G.S. 15A-300.3).
Wildfire	Restrictions on flying a UAS near a forest fire (N.C. G.S 15A-300.4)

Last updated Dec. 6, 2024

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