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Drone question: flying over neighborhood - special - 04-26-2025
So it appears there is no clear rule on how high and how fast you need to fly over other people's properties.
It seems to be permitted by the FAA and there appear that my state and township do not have additional restrictions.
There are various websites that say you should not hover too long and not take pictures in sensitive areas such as over pools, near windows, etc. Basically common sense.
However, if I go up to 200-300 feet and fly over at moderate speed, it seems this is OK, right?
I plan to go fly mostly in public spaces (parks) but once in a while I would like to take off from my house and explore the 1-2 blocks around my house. But I do not want to piss off neighbors.
Re: Drone question: flying over neighborhood - special - 04-26-2025
Here is some examples of what I found
https://uavcoach.com/drone-over-private-property/
Can I fly a drone over someone’s backyard?
Yes, under FAA regulations, you’re allowed to fly over private property—including backyards—provided you’re in uncontrolled airspace and following all relevant rules. However, hovering or filming over someone’s home for an extended period may raise privacy concerns and lead to complaints or legal issues. It’s best to avoid unnecessary overflight unless you have a valid reason and permission from the property owner.
How long can you fly a drone over private property?
There’s no federal time limit for how long you can fly over private land, but lingering for too long—especially if you’re hovering—can lead to privacy complaints. The longer you stay over someone’s home or yard, the more likely it is to be perceived as intrusive. Keep your flights short, purposeful, and respectful to avoid conflict.
Re: Drone question: flying over neighborhood - Forrest - 04-26-2025
I think all drones that can fly 200-300 feet in altitude have camera’s. So flying over anyone’s backyard besides your own is not acceptable.
Re: Drone question: flying over neighborhood - Speedy - 04-26-2025
Forrest wrote:
I think all drones that can fly 200-300 feet in altitude have camera’s. So flying over anyone’s backyard besides your own is not acceptable.
But for those candid shots over your sun-loving naturist neighbor’s pool you can hover over the alley or the street or vacant land yet be high enough to get video.
Re: Drone question: flying over neighborhood - cbelt3 - 04-26-2025
It’s all about stalking and privacy. And local laws.
FAA rules
https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers
Local laws
https://www.findlaw.com/consumer/consumer-transactions/drone-laws-by-state.html#:~:text=NC%2520GS%2520%C2%A7%252015A%252D300.1:%2520Surveillance%2520of%2520a,plain%2520view%2520or%2520with%2520a%2520search%2520warrant.
Re: Drone question: flying over neighborhood - RAMd®d - 04-26-2025
However, if I go up to 200-300 feet and fly over at moderate speed, it seems this is OK, right?
According to the FAA, 400' is the minimum distance.
One man's exploring is another man's invasion of privacy.
You will tick off neighbors, because most people aren't reasonable.
So flying over anyone’s backyard besides your own is not acceptable.
This is incorrect.
Well, at least according to the FAA.
What is legal doesn't mean it's acceptable to others.
Ask Barbara Streizand.
One can transit over other peoples' back yards at 400' or more.
Loitering over other's backyard's is a different story.
Many people believe that if they believe you're 'spying', your drone is fair game for being shot down, or you being victimized by irate neighbors or police.
Many people believe they own the airspace above their property.
Others believe because it's a drone and it's 'Murica, they get to shoot your drone down because it's a drone.
Local authorities can enforce local and state laws, but many believe they can enforce FAA rules and regs, and that can be a problem for you.
Because of rank paranoia, and bad drone pilots, flying a drone isn't always the fun it should be.
Just because some people are annoyed by the sound of a drone, they feel they're imbued with rights they don't have.
Keep your TRUST cert or 107 license with you, don't fly BVLOS and keep 400' AGL and don't loiter on station where other's property is concerned.
You should have at least one app that warns of restricted air space and TFRs.
dji used to have flight restrictions built into their drones' firmware/software, but have dropped it.
So it's up to the pilot to not stray into air space where you don't belong.
Once people know one has a drone, it's all monsters are you on Maple Street.
Re: Drone question: flying over neighborhood - Speedy - 04-26-2025
400’ is the maximum elevation above ground level.
Re: Drone question: flying over neighborhood - special - 04-26-2025
as mentioned above, 400' is the MAX altitude.
Also, this is a 249 g drone which does not require a license or registration with FAA as far as I understand.
Yeah, not going to loiter above neighbor's backyards but I want to know if I can fly over while I take a panoramic picture of my property for example.
Re: Drone question: flying over neighborhood - hal - 04-26-2025
if you fly over my yard, I'm throwing stuff at it - you have fair warning
Re: Drone question: flying over neighborhood - RAMd®d - 04-26-2025
Mea culpa, thinking one thing and typing another.