Drone Laws Maryland [March 2023] [Rules & How to Register]

There are a lot of things to consider before purchasing a drone and taking it into the air. If you live in Maryland, then you’ll also need to be aware of state drone laws as well as federal drone regulations from the FAA. This article will help explain how these rules apply to your situation and keep you legal while flying your drone around town.

You can fly your drone in the state of Maryland, but there are some restrictions. You cannot fly drones over or near prisons, schools, airports, or nuclear power plants. You also cannot fly them within five miles of an airport or above 400 feet above ground level (AGL).

Drone Laws Maryland

Drone laws in Maryland are roughly equivalent to federal drone regulations from the FAA.

Maryland has not enacted any laws that are more restrictive than federal drone laws. This means that if a person violates a federal regulation, they will also be violating Maryland’s law as well.

However, Maryland has also not enacted any laws that are less restrictive than federal drone regulations; so even if a person follows all applicable state rules but violates some part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s guidelines for flying drones safely and responsibly, there is no recourse under state law for them to avoid punishment for these violations (unless there is an exception provided by another statute).

You May Not Fly Within 5 Miles Of An Airport.

Flying your drone within 5 miles of an airport means you’re being compliant with the law, and you won’t get arrested.

Why? Because flying a drone can be scary for pilots and air traffic controllers, and they don’t want that kind of stress while they’re trying to fly or land a plane. If a pilot sees a drone flying near their flight path, they might take evasive action because they think it’s going to hit them!

That would cause all sorts of problems on their end—from delayed flights to damaged property—and could even put lives at risk if the pilot makes an emergency landing (which is pretty common).

So yes: flying within 5 miles of an airport is safe for everyone involved.

You Must Keep The Drone Within Visual Range.

You must keep the drone within visual range.

This means that you must be able to see your drone at all times while it is in flight. You can use a first-person view camera, but you should be able to see what’s going on with your drone without looking at a screen or monitor.

If you’re flying more than 400 feet in altitude, you will need to file an application for special authorization from the FAA before doing so.

You Must Yield Right-of-way To Manned Aircraft.

You must yield right-of-way to manned aircraft. Drones can be dangerous and can cause serious damage if they collide with a manned aircraft. If you are found guilty of failure to comply with this regulation, you could face a fine of up to $100,000 or imprisonment for three years, or both.

You may also be liable for damages resulting from your actions under federal law. Failure to comply with this regulation could result in the suspension or revocation of your certificate by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

If a collision occurs between your drone and an occupied aircraft or any property on the ground that causes injury or death or damages property belonging to another person without their consent, you may be liable for civil damages under state law even if it was not your fault!

Do Not Fly A Drone Over Groups Of People Or Stadiums Full Of People.

You should not fly a drone over groups of people or stadiums full of people.

This is because drones may be used to spy on you, they can hurt someone if they fall out of the sky, they can be weaponized, and they can interrupt sporting events or other gatherings.

The last reason is especially important to remember because it shows how in some cases, your drone can also be used by others as an instrument for crime and mischief.

You should also not fly a drone in prison yards because inmates could use them to smuggle contraband into prison buildings.

Do Not Fly Your Drone Near Emergency Response

• Don’t fly your drone near emergency response efforts such as fires or traffic accidents.
• Avoid flying over traffic accidents, road closures, police investigations, and other emergency responses.
• Do not interfere with first responders who are working at the scene of an accident or other emergency situation.

You can help make sure everyone stays safe by keeping your drone grounded during these types of operations.

The Maximum Allowable Altitude Is 400 Feet

The maximum allowable altitude is 400 feet above the ground and lower than other airspace. However, it’s important to note that an operator may not fly a drone in a way so as to interfere with another aircraft, so if you’re flying near an airport or heliport, you should consult with the FAA before doing so.

The State Of Maryland Has Excellent Regulations

The state of Maryland has excellent regulations on drones and compliance will help keep everyone safe. The rules are similar to federal law and may change in the future, so it is important for you to be aware of them. More information about drone laws in Maryland can be found on the FAA’s website.

How To Register Drone In Maryland

Find Out Whether You Need To Register.

You will need to register your drone if:

• You are a hobbyist.
• Your drone weighs more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds (25 kilograms).

Gather Information About Your Drone.

• Gather information about your drone. You will need to know the serial number of your drone, as well as its make and model. You also need to know how much your drone weighs and how much it cost you.
• Go online and register
• You can do this on any computer with internet access, but if you are using a public computer like at the library or coffee shop make sure no one is looking over your shoulder when entering personal information such as credit card numbers or social security numbers!

Register Your Drone Online.

You have a choice of registering your drone online or by mail. To register online, you must have an active email account, credit card, and the name and address of the owner of the drone.

You will also need to be able to read English in order to fill out the form on the Maryland State Police website

Once you begin filling out your information, it is best if you complete this section in one sitting as it will only accept one submission at a time.

Label Your Drone.

You must label your drone with the registration number.

The number can be written on a piece of paper and taped to the drone, or you can use a sticker. The label must be visible on the drone when it is flying and may not obscure any part of its airworthiness certification markings.

It Is Easy To Register A Drone In Maryland

Registering your drone is easy, and only takes a few minutes. You can do it yourself—no need to hire an attorney or go through a third party. If you’re unsure if your drone will be required to be registered, see the list below for more information on whether or not you might need to register your drone in Maryland:

• If you are under 13 years old, no license is required; however, if you are over 13 years old but under 16 years old, then it will cost $10 per year for registration.
• Drones that weigh less than 2 pounds and have an average speed of less than 40 miles per hour do not require registration in Maryland.
• If your drone weighs more than 2 pounds but less than 55 pounds, then this is considered a large unmanned aircraft system (UAS).
• These types of drones will cost $15 per year for registration and should be labeled with their owner’s name and address on both sides of the craft using letters at least two inches high so they can be easily seen by other people operating UASs nearby

Are Drone Allowed In Maryland?

Are Drones Allowed In National Parks?

If you want to fly your drone in a national park, you need to check with the National Park Service. Some parks are OK with drones, but others have banned them altogether.

To find out whether flying a drone is allowed on your next trip, visit the U.S. Department of the Interior’s website and search for “national parks.”

This will take you to a list of all parks where drones are permitted or prohibited, along with an explanation as to why each rule was made and what types of drones may be flown there.

Where Are Drones Not Allowed?

Drones are not permitted to fly above or over any persons, except in cases of emergency.

They are also not allowed to fly over buildings and other structures, as well as vehicles and other vehicles on the ground.

Drones may not be flown over schools, hospitals, government buildings or highways.

What Park Activities Are Prohibited With Drones?

You cannot use drones within a park in the following areas:

• Wilderness areas. Drones are prohibited in wilderness areas unless you have approval from the superintendent.
• Areas closed to protect cultural resources. Drones may not be used in places that have been closed to protect cultural resources or objects, such as caves and cliff dwellings.
• Areas closed to protect human life and property, like fire zones. You cannot fly a drone within 400 feet of any structure or building in these zones without approval from the superintendent

How To Stay Safe When Flying A Drone

Drones are a fun and exciting hobby to take up, but there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind when flying one that will keep you and others safe.

• Know the laws: You can’t just go out there and fly your drone wherever you want. Check with your local government agency or city hall to find out whether they have laws regulating drone use in public places, such as parks or near airports.
• Stay away from power lines: If there’s any doubt at all about whether it’s safe to fly your drone around power lines, don’t do it! Flying too close could result in serious injury or even death for both yourself and other people on the ground.
• Be aware of other aircraft: There’s no way around this one—you need to know if there are planes flying overhead before attempting any stunts while flying your own craft through the air!

Drones And Wildlife

• Flying over wildlife may disturb or harm the animal. If you see an animal while flying, do not fly above it. Instead, move away from the animal until you can no longer see it, and then stay at a distance that doesn’t interfere with its natural behavior.
• When flying near animals, don’t get too close—and never chase after them! Animals may become frightened by drones flying nearby and react defensively. This could result in injury to both humans and animals.

Drones And Safety In Maryland

Before you fly a drone in Maryland, make sure that it is safe to do so. There are certain rules and regulations that have been put in place by the FAA, or Federal Aviation Administration. These rules and regulations are to ensure that drones are operated safely while they are being flown.

You should always be aware of these rules when you wish to fly your drone because if you fail to follow these safety guidelines then there will be consequences for doing so such as fines or criminal charges.

Frequently Asked Question (drone Laws Maryland)

Do You Need A License To Fly A Drone In Maryland?

The short answer is yes. You do need a license to fly a drone in Maryland, but it’s not as complicated as you may think! In fact, the process can be completed online and takes only minutes to complete.

To apply for a license:

• Visit the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website and click “Apply for a Remote Pilot Certificate” under UAS Training Courses & Exams.
• Read through the information provided on this page before proceeding with your application.

What Does The Law Say About Flying A Drone In Maryland?

In Maryland, you must be at least 16 years old to operate a drone. If you are flying over people or property that is not yours, you must have a drone license. If you are flying over private property, you must also have a drone license.

Can I Fly My Drone Over Crowds Or Public Events In Maryland?

You cannot fly a drone over crowds or public events in Maryland. You must keep your drone in sight at all times and stay below 400 feet above ground level. You may not fly over people, but this is a common-sense rule that most people are able to follow without being told.

Conclusion

To fly drone in Maryland, you must be at least 16 years old. You need the consent of any landowners before flying over their property. It is illegal to fly within 5 miles of an airport or within 3 miles of a heliport without prior approval from air traffic control.

The main point of our article is that drones are allowed in Maryland. We hope you enjoyed reading our article and learned something new. We also hope that you’ve been able to use this information to make a decision on whether or not it’s worth it for you to buy a drone in Maryland, or any other state for that matter!