Seattle, Washington Drone Laws

Overview

Seattle is located in Washington. Drone operations are governed by federal FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 107) and may be subject to state and local ordinances.

State Regulations & Statutes

Washington State has enacted drone-specific privacy and criminal statutes that apply on top of federal FAA regulations. Using a drone to record individuals in a private setting without consent is a gross misdemeanor or felony under RCW § 9A.44.115 (voyeurism). Drone trespass over private property is covered under RCW § 9A.52.070. Washington State Parks prohibits drone operations without a permit. Commercial operators must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate; recreational flyers must register with the FAA and follow the recreational rules.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• RCW § 9A.44.115 — Voyeurism via drone: gross misdemeanor (first offense) or Class C felony (repeat/aggravated)
• RCW § 9A.52.070 — Criminal trespass: drone flight over private property without permission may constitute trespass
• Washington State Parks: drone flight prohibited without prior written permit from park manager
• 14 CFR Part 107 — Remote Pilot Certificate required for commercial operations
• 14 CFR § 91.126/91.130 — must obtain authorization before flying in Class B/C/D/E controlled airspace

Permits & Registration

Commercial operations require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Recreational flyers must register drones over 0.55 lbs at registerdrone.faa.gov and pass TRUST test. Washington State Parks permit required for any drone flight in state park boundaries — contact individual park offices.

Official Statute Links

• https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.44.115
• https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.52.070
• https://parks.wa.gov/559/Unmanned-Aircraft-Systems
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/

Local Ordinances

Seattle has no standalone municipal drone ordinance codified in the Seattle Municipal Code. Seattle Parks and Recreation prohibits drone takeoff and landing in all City parks without prior departmental approval. The Downtown Seattle core sits beneath the Boeing Field (KBFI) Class D and Seattle-Tacoma (KSEA) Class B shelves, making most of the urban core controlled airspace requiring FAA LAANC authorization. Renton Municipal Airport (KRNT) Class D also affects southeast Seattle neighborhoods.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• Seattle Parks and Recreation: drones prohibited in all City parks without written departmental approval — contact (206) 684-4075
• Discovery Park: no drone flight without Parks permit; sensitive shoreline and wildlife habitat
• Green Lake Park: no drone flight; high pedestrian density and over-water restrictions
• Gas Works Park: no drone flight; close proximity to KBFI Class D airspace
• Seward Park: no drone flight without permit; peninsula with sensitive habitat
• Puget Sound shoreline: NOAA/Coast Guard may impose additional restrictions near maritime activity
• Private property: RCW § 9A.52.070 trespass and RCW § 9A.44.115 privacy laws enforced citywide

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: Seattle Parks and Recreation, (206) 684-4075, www.seattle.gov/parks

Nearby Airports & Airspace

Airspace restrictions apply near airports. Always check B4UFLY and LAANC before flying.

Local Flying Guide

Always verify conditions with local authorities and property owners before flight.

Potential Safe Flying Locations

• Marymoor Park in Redmond (King County Park, ~16 mi northeast — verify current rules with King County Parks)
• Snoqualmie Valley rural farmland (~30 mi east — verify private land permission)
• Rural Snohomish County east of Everett (low density, verify property rights)
• Lake Sammamish State Park periphery (WA State Parks permit required)

Areas to Avoid

• Seattle-Tacoma International (KSEA) Class B airspace — covers much of King County, LAANC authorization required
• Boeing Field (KBFI) Class D — covers South Seattle / SoDo / Beacon Hill to 2,500 ft MSL
• Renton Municipal (KRNT) Class D — covers Renton and SE Seattle neighborhoods to 2,500 ft MSL
• All Seattle City parks — prohibited without Parks Department written approval
• Downtown Seattle core — within KBFI Class D and KSEA Class B shelf
• Puget Sound marine areas — no-fly near active ferry lanes and Coast Guard zones
• Joint Base Lewis-McChord (KLEW/KTCM) restricted airspace ~30 mi south

Weather Considerations

Seattle has a marine west coast climate. Persistent low ceilings (500–2,000 ft) are common October through April, with fog and drizzle frequent. Summer (July–September) is reliably dry and clear with ceilings well above 10,000 ft. Orographic lift off the Olympics and Cascades creates turbulence. Check NWS Seattle (weather.gov/sew) and ADDS for current METARs at KSEA and KBFI before flying.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: July–September — long days, dry, clear skies, light winds. AVOID: November–March — persistent rain, low IFR ceilings, fog, high winds. Spring (April–June) is marginal but improving; afternoon clearing windows exist. Summer mornings often have marine stratus that burns off by 10–11 AM.

Compliance Checklist

• ✓ Federal FAA Part 107 or recreational exemption
• ✓ Washington state regulations
• ✓ Seattle local ordinances
• ✓ B4UFLY airspace check
• ✓ LAANC authorization if in controlled airspace
• ✓ Property owner permission
• ✓ Weather safety