Georgia Drone Laws
Federal requirements, Georgia statutes, local restrictions, and official resources — in one place, with primary-source citations, for recreational and commercial drone pilots.
Verified & Published
Last reviewed 2026-09-30 · Next review 2026-10-30 · 2 official sources
Georgia maintains a centralized approach to drone regulation, primarily through a state statute that preempts local governments from creating their own drone-specific flight ordinances. Operators are expected to adhere to federal FAA regulations, while general state criminal laws regarding privacy and harassment remain applicable to drone use.
Are drones legal in Georgia?
Drone operations are generally allowed in Georgia when pilots follow FAA requirements plus all applicable state, local, and property rules. Check airspace authorization and launch or landing restrictions before every flight.
Rules, airspace restrictions, and temporary conditions can change. Check current airspace and official requirements before every flight.
At a Glance
O.C.G.A. § 6-1-4 Recreational pilots must follow FAA guidelines as state law does not impose additional recreational-specific flight requirements.
O.C.G.A. § 6-1-4 Commercial operators must comply with FAA Part 107 regulations.
O.C.G.A. § 16-11-62 General state privacy and harassment laws apply to drone operations.
O.C.G.A. § 6-1-4 State law provides for preemption of local ordinances, but federal rules regarding critical infrastructure remain primary.
No specific state-level drone-specific hunting statute was identified, though general wildlife interference laws may apply.
Drone operation in state parks is subject to specific agency policies which should be verified prior to flight.
O.C.G.A. § 6-1-4 Local governments are preempted from regulating drones except for ordinances adopted before April 1, 2017, or those enforcing FAA rules.
O.C.G.A. § 16-11-62 Violations of state-level privacy or criminal statutes carry standard misdemeanor or felony penalties.
Statewide Preemption Active
State law O.C.G.A. § 6-1-4 explicitly preempts local government entities from regulating the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems, with limited exceptions for pre-2017 ordinances or enforcement of FAA rules.
How the Three Layers Work Together
Every flight is governed by all three layers at once. A rule in one layer does not cancel or replace the others — you must satisfy each layer that applies to where and how you fly.
FAA requirements that apply nationwide — registration, Remote ID, airspace, and operating categories.
State statutes, regulations, agency policies, and rules for state-owned property.
Municipal and county rules, parks, public-property launch/landing limits, filming permits, and property policies.
Our Pre-Flight Recommendations
- Check airspace & get LAANC authorization via B4UFLY before every flight.
- Confirm Remote ID compliance — broadcast module or FAA-registered drone.
- Search the local municipal code for park, launch, and landing restrictions.
- Carry proof of FAA registration and your Part 107 certificate when flying commercially.
- Respect private property — get written permission before flying over private land.
- When layers conflict, follow the most restrictive rule that applies.
Court decisions are shown separately under “Developing Law & Court Decisions.” They inform how rules may evolve but do not replace Layer 3.
Federal Baseline (Applies Everywhere)
These FAA requirements apply nationwide, in addition to any state and local rules below. Federal updates appear automatically on every state page.
- Choosing the Correct Operating Category. Before flying, decide whether you're flying recreationally under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations or commercially under Part 107. The category determines which rules apply to you.
- Recreational Flying and TRUST. Recreational flyers must pass the free TRUST test, carry proof of passage, register drones over 0.55 lb, and follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized community-based organization.
- Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification. Commercial drone operations require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, earned by passing the Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test.
- Drone Registration and Exterior Markings. Drones weighing 0.55 lb (250 g) or more must be registered with the FAA, and the registration number must be displayed on the exterior of the aircraft.
- Remote ID. Most drones that require registration must also broadcast Remote ID — a digital 'license plate' — either built-in or via an add-on broadcast module.
- Visual Line of Sight. You must keep your drone within unaided visual line of sight at all times, unless you hold a specific FAA waiver.
- General Altitude Limits. The general altitude ceiling is 400 feet above ground level, with specific allowances near structures under Part 107.
- Controlled and Uncontrolled Airspace. Flying in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or surface E) near airports requires prior FAA authorization; uncontrolled Class G generally does not.
Georgia State Laws
Verified state statutes, regulations, and agency policies. Each item links to its official source.
Privacy & Surveillance
Invasion of Privacy by Device
VerifiedUsing a drone to record someone in a private place (like a backyard or window) without consent is a felony.
- Citation
- O.C.G.A. § 16-11-62
- Enforcement
- Local Law Enforcement / Georgia Bureau of Investigation
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Felony punishable by 1 to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $10,000.
Correctional Facilities
Drones Near Correctional Facilities
VerifiedIt is illegal to use a drone to deliver items to a prison or to take photos of a prison without permission.
- Citation
- O.C.G.A. § 42-5-18
- Enforcement
- Georgia Department of Corrections
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Contraband delivery is a felony (1-10 years); unauthorized photography is a felony (1-5 years).
Hunting, Fishing & Wildlife
Wildlife and Hunting Restrictions
VerifiedYou cannot use drones to help hunt or track game, but you can use them to find feral hogs on private land.
- Citation
- O.C.G.A. § 27-3-12
- Enforcement
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Misdemeanor; may include loss of hunting privileges and seizure of equipment.
State Parks & Public Lands
DNR State Park Drone Ban
VerifiedLaunching or landing a drone in Georgia State Parks is prohibited without a specific permit.
- Citation
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 391-5-1-.03
- Enforcement
- Georgia DNR / Park Rangers
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Administrative fines and possible removal from park premises.
Local Preemption & Municipal Authority
UAS State Preemption Act
VerifiedLocal cities and counties cannot pass their own laws regulating drone flight, though they can ban non-commercial takeoffs/landings in their own parks.
- Citation
- O.C.G.A. § 6-1-4
- Enforcement
- Georgia General Assembly / State Courts
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Local ordinances found to be in conflict with state preemption are considered null and void.
Other Verified State Restrictions
UAS Operations at Ticketed Entertainment Events
VerifiedDo not fly within 400 feet of gated events like concerts or sports games without the owner's permission.
- Citation
- O.C.G.A. § 6-1-4(d)
- Enforcement
- Local Law Enforcement
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Treated as a misdemeanor offense.
Local & Property Rules
Federal authorization does not automatically grant permission to launch, land, or operate from a particular property.
State Parks
There is no blanket state-wide statute prohibiting drones in all state parks; however, individual park authorities may have specific policies or permit requirements. Operators should contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources or the specific park office before flying.
Local Government Authority
Local governments in Georgia are generally prohibited from enacting their own drone ordinances, ensuring a uniform regulatory environment across the state.
Detailed local guides are being developed for selected cities — covering local parks, city- and county-owned property, filming permits, special events, public facilities, and property-manager rules.
Plan Your Next Flight in Georgia
Turn the rules into a flight plan — find a place to fly, hire a local professional, or join the CityDrones pilot directory.
Georgia Drone Laws FAQ
Quick answers for recreational and commercial pilots.
Are drones legal in Georgia?
Drone operations are generally allowed in Georgia when pilots follow FAA requirements plus all applicable state, local, and property rules. Always verify airspace and launch or landing restrictions before flying.
Do I need to register my drone in Georgia?
FAA registration is a federal requirement and applies nationwide, including Georgia. Whether registration is required depends on the aircraft and type of operation.
Can I fly a drone in Georgia state parks?
There is no blanket state-wide statute prohibiting drones in all state parks; however, individual park authorities may have specific policies or permit requirements. Operators should contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources or the specific park office before flying.
Can cities in Georgia make their own drone rules?
State law O.C.G.A. § 6-1-4 explicitly preempts local government entities from regulating the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems, with limited exceptions for pre-2017 ordinances or enforcement of FAA rules.
What do commercial drone pilots need in Georgia?
Commercial pilots generally need to comply with FAA Part 107 requirements as well as applicable Georgia, local, and property rules. Additional permits may apply to filming or operations on managed property.
Sources & Methodology
NCSL — Current Unmanned Aircraft State Law Landscape
Primary-source enacted state statutes and bill numbers.
UAV Coach — State Drone Laws Directory
State statutes + municipal local ordinances.
FlyUSI — US Drone Laws Guide
Federal / State / Local three-layer tracker, updated quarterly.
Drone Launch Academy — 50-State Directory
Commercial nuances: privacy torts, hunting, critical infrastructure.
CityDrones uses AI-assisted research to draft state law summaries, cross-checked against the authoritative directories above. Every claim is sourced to an official government or legislature page before publication, and all content is reviewed by a human editor before going live. This is educational information, not legal advice.
The 3-Layer Pre-Flight Compliance Guide
A printable checklist that walks federal, state, and local rules in the same order every time — so you can clear a legal flight before you leave the driveway.
Get it firstCityDrones provides general educational and flight-planning information, not legal advice or flight authorization. Drone laws, property rules, airspace restrictions, and temporary conditions may change. Always verify current requirements with the FAA and the appropriate government or property authority before flying.