Minnesota Drone Laws

Defines 'aircraft' as any contrivance used or designed for navigation or flight in the air, including drones and unmanned aerial systems. This classification is the legal foundation for all aircraft regulations applying to drones in Minnesota.

Recreational drones flown for personal enjoyment are exempt from state aircraft registration requirements. Only federal FAA registration applies to recreational drones over 250 grams.

Commercial drone operators must obtain and maintain annual liability insurance that meets Minnesota Rule 8800.3200 requirements. Per-flight or pay-as-you-go insurance policies are not accepted.

Commercial drone operators must register aircraft with Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Registration is required annually at $25 per drone and can be completed online or by paper application through MnDOT Aircraft Registration office.

Any person who advertises or holds themselves out as providing aircraft-based services (including commercial drone operations) must obtain a Commercial Operations License from MnDOT Office of Aeronautics. License costs $30 per year and is administered under Minn. R. 8800.3100 and 8800.3200.

Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a search warrant before using drones, except for eleven specific authorized exceptions including emergencies involving risk of death/bodily harm, public events with heightened safety risk, counter-terrorism operations, disaster response, threat assessment, crash reconstruction, and active searches for missing persons. Amended in 2025 session (Laws 2025 c. 35, art. 5, s. 23). Bans facial recognition and weapons on drones without warrant. Prohibits surveillance of public protests without warrant. Requires data deletion within 7 days unless part of active criminal investigation. Mandates annual reporting to Commissioner of Public Safety by January 15.

Criminalizes secretly observing or recording someone in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Directly applies to drone surveillance into windows, over fenced backyards, or recording persons in state of nudity or sexual activity without consent.

Prohibits stalking and harassment, including pattern conduct via drones. Can be applied to repeated unwanted drone flights over someone's property.

Prohibits intentional interference with another person's lawful taking of wildlife. Drones cannot be used to scout, locate, track, or drive game. Also applies to interference with ice fishing or other legal angling activities.

Aircraft, including drones, cannot land on lands or waters totally within the boundaries of any Minnesota state park, state recreation area, or state wayside. Flight over a state park is technically permitted if operator launches and lands outside park boundary and maintains line of sight, but DNR explicitly discourages this practice and may issue site-specific posted orders.

Appropriated $348,000 for evaluation and use of unmanned aerial systems in natural resource monitoring, specifically for assessing moose population changes and ecosystem changes in Minnesota.

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Drone Permits

Prohibits all drones from taking off, landing, or operating over MPRB-owned or managed property without an approved permit. Drone insurance is required as part of the application. Permit must be on-site during operation and produced on demand to any MPRB employee.

Ramsey County Parks - Drone Restrictions

Takeoff or landing of drones is not allowed in any park within Ramsey County without prior approval of the Parks Director. Drones may only be operated in designated areas.

Anoka County Parks Drone Permit Requirement

Drone operators must secure a special use permit from the Parks Department to fly drones over county parklands.

Bloomington Parks Drone Restrictions

Prohibits the operation of drones within city parks unless the operator has obtained a special permit from the Parks Department.

City of St. Bonifacius Airspace Ban

Prohibits the use of drones within the airspace of the city. Exceptions apply for operations over one's own private property.

City of Arlington Drone Restrictions

Prohibits the use of drones within the airspace of the city unless permission has been granted by the City. The City permitting procedure may require liability insurance.

City of Eagan - FAA Deference Policy

The City of Eagan has revised their policy and now defers to the FAA in all matters of drone requirements, guidance, and regulations.

Three Rivers Park District Drone Prohibition

Prohibits the use of drones and other powered toys within all parks and trails managed by the Three Rivers Park District unless a permit has been granted.

Duluth Parks Coordination Recommended

While Duluth does not have a standalone city drone ordinance, Park Point, Canal Park, and the Lake Superior shoreline are heavily used locations. Call ahead to Duluth Parks and Recreation office before launching from city property.

NPS Drone Restrictions - Mississippi NRRA

Implements National Park Service drone restrictions over the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, particularly around the Coldwater Spring area in the Twin Cities.

USFWS Drone Restrictions

Prohibits launching, landing, or operations of drones on any Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge unit without a special use permit.