Maryland Drone Laws
Federal requirements, Maryland statutes, local restrictions, and official resources — in one place, with primary-source citations, for recreational and commercial drone pilots.
Verified & Published
Last reviewed 2026-08-24 · Next review 2026-09-23 · 4 official sources
Maryland is notable for its strong state-level preemption, which prevents local municipalities from enacting their own drone regulations. While the state defers primarily to FAA authority for flight operations, it has established specific criminal statutes regarding privacy, surveillance, and the protection of correctional facilities. Pilots should be particularly aware of the heavy federal flight restrictions in the regions surrounding Washington, D.C., which overlap significantly with Maryland airspace.
Are drones legal in Maryland?
Drone operations are generally allowed in Maryland 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
MD Code, Econ. Dev. § 14-301 Operators must follow FAA guidelines; state law focuses on preemption and specific criminal acts.
MD Code, Econ. Dev. § 14-301 Commercial operators must comply with FAA Part 107; state law does not add commercial-specific licensing.
MD Code, Crim. Law § 3-901 General visual surveillance and harassment statutes apply to drone-mounted cameras.
MD Code, Econ. Dev. § 14-301 State law prohibits the use of drones to disrupt or interfere with critical facilities.
MD Code, Nat. Res. § 10-401 General wildlife protection laws prohibit the use of electronic devices to harass wildlife.
COMAR 08.07.06.04 Drone use in state parks generally requires a permit from the Department of Natural Resources.
MD Code, Econ. Dev. § 14-301 State law explicitly preempts and supersedes local drone ordinances.
MD Code, Crim. Law § 9-417.1 Violations involving correctional facilities or illegal surveillance carry misdemeanor penalties.
Statewide Preemption Active
State law under MD Code, Economic Development § 14-301 explicitly preempts the authority of counties and municipalities to regulate the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems.
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.
Maryland State Laws
Verified state statutes, regulations, and agency policies. Each item links to its official source.
Voyeurism, Harassment & Stalking
Visual Surveillance and Privacy
VerifiedUsing a drone to record people where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy is prohibited.
- Citation
- MD Code, Crim. Law, § 3-902
- Enforcement
- Local Law Enforcement / Maryland State Police
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500.
Correctional Facilities
Drone Delivery to Correctional Facilities
VerifiedUsing a drone to deliver contraband or fly over a prison to assist an escape is a serious crime.
- Citation
- MD Code, Crim. Law, § 9-418
- Enforcement
- Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Violation is a misdemeanor or felony depending on the intent and cargo, punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $1,000.
Hunting, Fishing & Wildlife
Use of Aircraft in Hunting
VerifiedYou cannot use a drone to help you find or hunt animals in Maryland.
- Citation
- MD Code, Nat. Res., § 10-410
- Enforcement
- Maryland Natural Resources Police
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Fines and potential revocation of hunting licenses.
State Parks & Public Lands
Prohibition of Drones in State Parks
VerifiedYou cannot fly a drone in Maryland State Parks without a special permit or being in a designated flight zone.
- Citation
- COMAR 08.01.07.04
- Enforcement
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Natural Resources Police)
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Administrative fines and possible removal from the state park.
Local Preemption & Municipal Authority
Statewide Preemption of UAS Regulation
VerifiedLocal cities and counties in Maryland cannot pass their own drone laws; only the state government has this authority.
- Citation
- MD Code, Econ. Dev., § 14-301
- Enforcement
- Maryland State Government
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Local ordinances found to be in conflict with this state law are generally unenforceable.
Local & Property Rules
Federal authorization does not automatically grant permission to launch, land, or operate from a particular property.
State Parks
Drone operation within Maryland State Parks is generally restricted and requires a special use permit issued by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Some parks, such as Sandy Point, have specific seasonal bans (e.g., Memorial Day through Labor Day) to protect public safety and wildlife.
Local Government Authority
Maryland law explicitly preempts local governments from regulating drone operations, meaning city and county ordinances that conflict with state law are legally superseded. However, local authorities may still regulate the takeoff and landing of drones from property they own, provided it does not conflict with state preemption.
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 Maryland
Turn the rules into a flight plan — find a place to fly, hire a local professional, or join the CityDrones pilot directory.
Maryland Drone Laws FAQ
Quick answers for recreational and commercial pilots.
Are drones legal in Maryland?
Drone operations are generally allowed in Maryland 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 Maryland?
FAA registration is a federal requirement and applies nationwide, including Maryland. Whether registration is required depends on the aircraft and type of operation.
Can I fly a drone in Maryland state parks?
Drone operation within Maryland State Parks is generally restricted and requires a special use permit issued by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Some parks, such as Sandy Point, have specific seasonal bans (e.g., Memorial Day through Labor Day) to protect public safety and wildlife.
Can cities in Maryland make their own drone rules?
State law under MD Code, Economic Development § 14-301 explicitly preempts the authority of counties and municipalities to regulate the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems.
What do commercial drone pilots need in Maryland?
Commercial pilots generally need to comply with FAA Part 107 requirements as well as applicable Maryland, 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.