Overview
Georgia allows recreational and commercial drone operations under federal FAA Part 107. Georgia Code addresses privacy, harassment, and trespass. Atlanta airspace (ATL) requires LAANC clearance. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has restricted airspace.
Key State Laws & Restrictions
The following laws and regulations apply to drone operations in Georgia. Federal FAA rules apply in addition to all state requirements listed below.
- 14 CFR 107: 400 ft AGL max altitude, VLOS requirement
- Georgia Code § 16-8-20: Voyeurism by drone — recording person in private area without consent is crime
- Georgia Code § 16-5-20: Stalking via drone — surveillance with intent to harass/threaten is criminal offense
- Georgia Code § 16-6-24: Harassment by drone — repeated drone surveillance intended to harass is crime
- Atlanta airspace: Class B airspace (ATL, PDK) requires LAANC authorization
- Savannah airspace: Class C airspace (SAV) — check LAANC/B4UFLY before flight
- Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge: Restricted airspace — no civilian drone operations without federal approval
- Georgia Code § 16-8-1: Peeping Tom via drone — drone surveillance of private areas for lascivious purposes is crime
- Georgia Code § 16-8-4: Eavesdropping by drone — drone-based electronic surveillance without consent is criminal
- Georgia Code § 16-2-23: Reckless conduct via drone — operations creating substantial risk of injury are criminal
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources: State park airspace — no drone flight in state parks/wildlife areas without permit
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources: Wildlife management areas — no drone operations in protected wildlife zones
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources: Wetland protection — no drone flight over protected aquatic habitats or marshes
- Chattahoochee National Forest: Special Use Permit required for commercial drone operations on federal forest land
- Georgia Department of Education: School airspace — no drone flight over school property/grounds/events without authorization
- Georgia Department of Community Health: Hospital/medical facility — no drone flight over hospitals, emergency departments
- Georgia Department of Labor: Construction site safety — commercial drones require coordination with site safety standards
Permits & Licensing
Commercial: Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) required. Recreational: Register at faadronezone.faa.gov and pass TRUST test.
Recreational Flying in Georgia
Recreational drone pilots in Georgia must comply with federal Community Based Organization (CBO) safety guidelines and:
- Register their drone with the FAA (if 0.55 lbs or heavier)
- Pass the TRUST test (free, online at trust.faa.gov)
- Fly only within approved airspace — use B4UFLY to check before each flight
- Maintain visual line of sight at all times
- Fly below 400 ft AGL in uncontrolled airspace
- Never fly over people, moving vehicles, or emergency response scenes
- Respect all state and local privacy and trespass laws
Commercial Operations (Part 107) in Georgia
Commercial drone operations in Georgia require an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR Part 107. Key requirements:
- Pass the FAA Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an FAA-approved testing center
- Register all drones used for commercial purposes with the FAA
- Carry proof of Remote Pilot Certificate during all flights
- Request LAANC authorization for controlled airspace operations
- Comply with all state-specific statutes listed above
- Obtain any required local permits for filming, events, or public land use
- Secure appropriate liability insurance for commercial operations
Airspace & Restricted Areas
Beyond state-specific restrictions, drone pilots in Georgia must respect federal airspace designations:
- Class B/C/D airspace — Surrounds major and regional airports. LAANC authorization required.
- Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) — Check tfr.faa.gov before every flight.
- National Parks & Monuments — Generally prohibited without NPS permit (NPS UAS policy).
- Military installations — No drone flight without DoD authorization.
- Stadiums & sporting events — Prohibited within 3 nautical miles during game time.
- Wildfire TFRs — Immediately prohibited if a TFR is issued.
Use the B4UFLY app and LAANC system to verify airspace before every flight.
Official Resources & Statute Links
- https://dol.georgia.gov/
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/
- https://wildlife.georgia.gov/
- https://www.legis.ga.gov/
- https://dch.georgia.gov/
- https://www.fws.gov/
- https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/where_can_i_fly/airspace_restrictions/b4ufly/
- https://www.gadoe.org/
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-107
- https://dnr.georgia.gov/