Michigan Drone Laws

FAA Part 107 Certification

Commercial drone operations in Michigan must comply with FAA Part 107 Small UAS Rule requirements

All commercial drone pilots in Michigan must obtain an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate by passing the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test ($175 fee). The certificate is valid for 24 months and requires recurrent testing. Michigan has PSI testing centers in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Traverse City, and Marquette. Part 107 compliance is enforced by the FAA at the federal level; Michigan does not add separate commercial licensing requirements.

Recreational Drone TRUST Certification

All recreational drone pilots in Michigan must pass the FAA's TRUST (Recreational UAS Safety Test)

Recreational pilots must pass the free, online TRUST test before flying and carry proof of certification. The test is available through FAA-approved test administrators and covers safety, airspace, and regulatory requirements. Michigan does not add separate recreational licensing; FAA TRUST is the baseline requirement.

FAA Remote ID

All drones flown outdoors in Michigan must broadcast Remote ID information

Mandatory since March 16, 2024. Every drone flown outdoors must broadcast its ID, location, and altitude unless operating inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Michigan does not add state-level Remote ID requirements beyond federal mandate.

LAANC Authorization

Required for flights in controlled airspace around Michigan airports

LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) is required for operations in Class B, C, D, and surface-E airspace. Available at 726 airports nationwide through FAA-approved service providers. Michigan's major airports (DTW, GRR, LAN, FNT) all have LAANC coverage. Authorizations can typically be obtained in near-real time for flights under 400 feet.

Stadium TFRs

Federal temporary flight restrictions apply within 3 nautical miles of major stadiums during covered events

14 CFR § 99.7 prohibits drone operation within a 3 NM radius of stadiums seating 30,000+ during MLB, NFL, NCAA Division I football, and major motor-sport events, 1 hour before through 1 hour after. Michigan Stadium (largest in US at 107,601 seats), Ford Field, Comerica Park, and Little Caesars Arena all have active stadium TFRs. Violations are federal crimes with five-figure civil penalties and possible criminal arrest.

National Park Service Drone Ban

Complete prohibition on drone operations on all NPS lands under Policy Memorandum 14-05

36 CFR § 1.5 prohibits launching, landing, or operating drones on all National Park Service lands. In Michigan, this affects Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, and Keweenaw National Historical Park. Violations are federal petty offenses (up to 6 months and $5,000). Isle Royale adds Wilderness Act designation (§ 4(c)) motorized equipment ban on top of NPS prohibition.

Critical Infrastructure Protection

Federal laws protect critical infrastructure from unauthorized drone operations

While Michigan lacks a dedicated state critical infrastructure statute, federal laws and MCL § 750.45a apply to unauthorized operations near power plants, refineries, water treatment facilities, airports, and correctional facilities. The SHIELD package (pending) would add state-level critical infrastructure definitions and trespass prohibitions.

Cybersecurity and Data Protection

Federal drone cybersecurity standards apply; pending state legislation may add requirements

The pending HB 5330 would add state-level cybersecurity and data protection requirements for drones. Currently, only federal standards apply (e.g., FAA regulations on data links and communication security). State adoption of stricter standards may follow federal baseline.

Alexander J. Bessey, 21, shot a police DJI Air 3 drone with a shotgun during a law enforcement standoff. He was charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, malicious destruction of police property, felony firearm possession, and reckless discharge of a firearm. Multiple firearms were seized from his property. The case tests intersection of drone interference law and destruction of police property statutes.

The 103rd Michigan Legislature introduced a 15-bill drone regulation cluster (HB 5319-5332, SB 525, SB 210) anchored by HB 5319 (critical infrastructure trespass). The package proposes mandatory smartphone app registration, police drone takedown authority, geofencing requirements, standardized no-drone-zone signage, restrictions on DJI and covered UAS purchases, cybersecurity requirements, and a $20-40 million state sensor network. Total estimated cost: up to $60 million.

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled in a 15 N.W.3d 118 (Mich. 2024) decision that the exclusionary rule does not apply in civil zoning enforcement proceedings, even when drone surveillance may have intruded on reasonable expectation of privacy. The Court of Appeals' reasoning that low-altitude drone photography can intrude on privacy expectations remains persuasive authority and influences police and municipal drone programs.

Judge Farah granted a permanent injunction against Genesee County Parks for violating MCL 259.305 preemption by repeatedly confronting and once handcuffing drone pilot Jason Harrison for flying legally. The ruling established that local park authorities cannot ban drones on their own.

A visitor from Indiana flew a recreational quadcopter from the Mackinac Island ferry dock in July 2023. Mackinac Island Police pulled him aside within 10 minutes, cited him, and confiscated the aircraft. No criminal charges stuck, but the citation and confiscation stand as a practical enforcement priority under MSHP park rules.