North Carolina Drone Laws

Prohibits using a UAS to conduct surveillance of a person, dwelling, or private real property without consent. Carve-outs exist for law enforcement with warrants, exigent circumstances, news-gathering of newsworthy events, commercial mapping with owner consent, and certain law enforcement exceptions. Violations expose operators to both criminal and civil liability ($5,000 per published image).

Prohibits launching or recovering a UAS from any state or private property without consent. This applies to the ground staging area, not just flight paths. State property includes highway right-of-way, state parks, university campuses, and state office buildings. Local governments may adopt ordinances regulating launch and recovery on their property.

Prohibits flying a UAS within 500 feet horizontal or 250 feet vertical of any local confinement facility, state prison, federal correctional facility, or juvenile detention center. Penalties are tiered by conduct: weapon delivery is Class H felony ($1,500 mandatory fine); contraband delivery is Class I felony ($1,000 mandatory fine); any other use is Class 1 misdemeanor ($500 mandatory fine). Law enforcement operations and persons with written consent from facility officials are excepted.

Makes it a Class H felony for any person to willfully damage, disrupt the operation of, or otherwise interfere with a manned aircraft through use of a UAS while the manned aircraft is taking off, landing, in flight, or otherwise in motion. This applies to medevac helicopters, wildfire-suppression aircraft, news helicopters, and any other manned aircraft.

Prohibits possessing or using a UAS with a weapon attached (Class E felony). Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to hunt or fish using a UAS. Makes it a Class A1 misdemeanor to publish or disseminate thermal or infrared images from a UAS revealing individuals, materials, or activities inside a structure without property owner's consent.

Establishes that all crimes committed by use of a UAS while in flight over North Carolina are governed by North Carolina law, and the question of whether the conduct constitutes a crime is determined by North Carolina law.

Prohibits the take-off, ascending, and recovery of any UAS from all state park areas and state park water surfaces. Drones may be operated after obtaining a special activity permit from the Park Director or designated agent. Applies to all state park units in the North Carolina state park system and state-administered trails, natural areas, and lakes.

Makes it unlawful to use a drone to take, harass, or disturb wildlife. Prohibits using a drone to locate, drive, scout, or herd game animals. Prohibits harassing nesting birds or marine mammals. Applies especially to sea-turtle nesting areas (May-October coastal operations).

Authorizes use of UAS for emergency management activities including incident command, area reconnaissance, search and rescue, preliminary damage assessment, hazard risk management, and floodplain mapping. Exempts model aircraft from training and permitting requirements. Aligns state law with federal regulations.

Repealed Article 10 of N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 63, eliminating the requirement for commercial and government drone operators to obtain a North Carolina state-issued UAS Operator Permit or pass the NCDOT UAS Knowledge Test. Federal FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is now the sole license requirement for commercial operations. Bill became law on June 27, 2024 after Governor's veto override.

Established the original framework for commercial and government UAS operator permits through NCDOT, requiring the UAS Knowledge Test. This statute was repealed effective December 1, 2024 by HB 198. Historical significance: NC was one of only two states requiring a state-level drone permit on top of federal Part 107.

Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Drone Policy

Raleigh prohibits drone operations in nature preserves, nature parks, wetland centers, cemeteries, and city lakes. Six parks are designated for recreational drone use: Baileywick Park, Eastgate Park, Spring Forest Park, Marsh Creek Park, Dorothea Dix Park, and Southgate Park. Flights in designated areas permitted dawn to dusk.

Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Drone Policy

Mecklenburg County (which operates Charlotte parks) prohibits drone launch and landing from county park property without a permit. Covers Freedom Park, Little Sugar Creek Greenway, Reedy Creek, and dozens of other county parks.

Parks and Recreation Drone Use Permit Requirements

City of Asheville requires a permit for drone use in city parks. City is surrounded by federal land (Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains) which prohibits launching/recovering drones.

Municipal Ordinance 2017 - Drone Operations Prohibition

Prohibits drone operations from all town-owned property without official written permission from the Town Manager or designee.

Municipal Ordinance 12-31 - Flying Machines in City Parks

Prohibits the use of all flying machines (drones, UAVs) in all city parks except for those granted special permission from the city manager.

Municipal Ordinance - FAA Regulation Enforcement

Town ordinance allows Chapel Hill Police Department to enforce existing federal FAA drone regulations within town jurisdiction.

Parks and Recreation Drone Policy

Gaston County parks prohibit drone operations without a special permit from the Parks and Recreation Department. Special use facility available at Lewis Brooks Airfield in Bessemer City.

Parks, Recreation and Downtown Services Drone Policy

City of Wilmington regulates drone use on city property through Parks, Recreation and Downtown Services. Coastal location triggers additional restrictions due to federal National Park Service land and sea-turtle nesting protections.