Minnesota Drone Laws
Federal requirements, Minnesota statutes, local restrictions, and official resources — in one place, with primary-source citations, for recreational and commercial drone pilots.
Verified & Published
Last reviewed 2026-10-01 · Next review 2026-10-31 · 3 official sources
Minnesota drone law is primarily defined by federal FAA regulations, with the state legislature focusing on specific areas such as law enforcement surveillance, privacy protections, and security at correctional facilities. There is no comprehensive state-wide drone code, meaning operators must adhere to federal rules while remaining mindful of state-level privacy and criminal statutes.
Are drones legal in Minnesota?
Drone operations are generally allowed in Minnesota 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
Recreational operators must follow FAA guidelines and state privacy laws.
Commercial operators must comply with FAA Part 107 and state-specific restrictions on surveillance and critical infrastructure.
§ 609.746 State law prohibits the use of drones to secretly observe or record individuals in places where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
§ 243.552 Operating drones over state correctional facilities is prohibited without written consent.
General state laws regarding the use of aircraft for hunting may apply to drones.
Drone use in state parks generally requires special permits or authorization for photography and filming projects.
Local municipalities may have their own ordinances regarding drone operations on public property.
§ 243.552 Violations of state drone laws can result in misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor charges depending on the nature of the offense.
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.
Minnesota State Laws
Verified state statutes, regulations, and agency policies. Each item links to its official source.
Voyeurism, Harassment & Stalking
Harassment and Stalking
VerifiedUsing a drone to follow or annoy someone can lead to a restraining order or criminal charges.
- Citation
- Minn. Stat. § 609.748
- Enforcement
- Local Law Enforcement
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Harassment Restraining Orders (HRO) and potential misdemeanor or felony charges for repeat violations.
Hunting, Fishing & Wildlife
Prohibition on Taking Wild Animals with UAS
VerifiedYou cannot use a drone to hunt animals or help others find game.
- Citation
- Minn. Stat. § 97A.091
- Enforcement
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Violation of hunting laws can lead to seizure of equipment and misdemeanor penalties.
Law-Enforcement Drone Use
Law Enforcement Use of UAS
VerifiedPolice must generally have a search warrant to use a drone for surveillance or evidence gathering.
- Citation
- Minn. Stat. § 626.19
- Enforcement
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (Reporting)
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Evidence collected in violation of this statute may be inadmissible in court.
State Parks & Public Lands
State Park Aircraft Restrictions
VerifiedDo not launch or land your drone in Minnesota state parks without a permit.
- Citation
- Minn. Rules 6100.0800
- Enforcement
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Administrative citation or removal from the park.
Registration & Permitting
Commercial Aircraft Registration and Tax
VerifiedIf you use your drone for any commercial purpose, you must register it with MnDOT and pay a registration tax.
- Citation
- Minn. Stat. § 360.59
- Enforcement
- Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Aeronautics
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Late registration fees and potential misdemeanor charges for failing to register a taxable aircraft.
State Commercial Operator License
VerifiedDrone businesses must obtain a Minnesota-specific commercial operator license and maintain liability insurance.
- Citation
- Minn. Stat. § 360.018
- Enforcement
- MnDOT Office of Aeronautics
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Operating without a license may result in administrative fines or misdemeanor charges.
Local & Property Rules
Federal authorization does not automatically grant permission to launch, land, or operate from a particular property.
State Parks
Drone use in Minnesota state parks is restricted. Operators typically need to obtain specific documentation and approvals from the Department of Natural Resources, particularly for film or photography projects.
Local Government Authority
Minnesota does not have a blanket state-wide preemption statute for drones, meaning local municipalities may enact their own ordinances regarding drone operations on property they own or manage.
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 Minnesota
Turn the rules into a flight plan — find a place to fly, hire a local professional, or join the CityDrones pilot directory.
Minnesota Drone Laws FAQ
Quick answers for recreational and commercial pilots.
Are drones legal in Minnesota?
Drone operations are generally allowed in Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
FAA registration is a federal requirement and applies nationwide, including Minnesota. Whether registration is required depends on the aircraft and type of operation.
Can I fly a drone in Minnesota state parks?
Drone use in Minnesota state parks is restricted. Operators typically need to obtain specific documentation and approvals from the Department of Natural Resources, particularly for film or photography projects.
Can cities in Minnesota make their own drone rules?
There is no explicit state-wide statute that preempts local governments from regulating drone operations on local public property.
What do commercial drone pilots need in Minnesota?
Commercial pilots generally need to comply with FAA Part 107 requirements as well as applicable Minnesota, 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.