Maine Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Maine has a distinctive regulatory approach that restricts law enforcement drone surveillance through warrant requirements and data deletion mandates, while maintaining a relatively permissive stance toward civilian drone operations. Key restrictions include a complete ban on drones in all 48 state parks without special permits, a hunting prohibition for drones used to locate bear, deer, or moose, and a new ban on unauthorized drones over correctional facilities.
State Drone Laws
25 M.R.S.A. § 4502Law Enforcement Drone Surveillance Warrant Requirement
Requires Maine law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before conducting drone surveillance in criminal investigations. Limited exceptions exist for consent-based collection, genuine emergencies threatening life or serious bodily injury, and national security situations, with warrant application required within 48 hours of any emergency flight.
25 M.R.S.A. § 4504Law Enforcement Drone Operations Standards and Restrictions
Prohibits weaponized drones for law enforcement use. Bans surveillance of free speech, assembly, or religious activities. Requires deletion of unauthorized surveillance data within 24 hours. Establishes minimum operational standards for law enforcement UAS use.
25 M.R.S.A. § 4505Civil Remedy for Law Enforcement Drone Privacy Violations
Establishes civil liability for persons whose privacy rights are violated by law enforcement drone operations. Allows private civil actions against the state and law enforcement agencies for damages.
12 M.R.S.A. § 11216Prohibition on Using Aircraft to Hunt Protected Game
Prohibits using any aircraft, including drones, to hunt or assist in hunting bear, deer, or moose. Game wardens actively enforce this rule and will confiscate drones used in violation.
Bureau of Parks and Lands Drone PolicyMaine State Parks and Historic Sites Drone Prohibition
Prohibits drone operations in Maine's 48 state parks, historic sites, and DACF boat launches without direct oversight from law enforcement or approval via Special Activity Permit. Commercial drone use is prohibited entirely. A certificate of liability insurance naming the State of Maine as co-insured is required for all permits. Law enforcement search and rescue operations are exempt.
LD 2157An Act to Prohibit the Unauthorized Use of Drones on or over the Premises of Correctional Facilities and Jails
Prohibits unauthorized drone operations on or over Maine correctional facilities and jails, including both state institutions and local county jails.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Portland
cityDrone Restrictions in Municipal Parks and Public Spaces
Portland restricts drone flying in certain public spaces without prior city approval
Restrictions
Drone operations prohibited in Deering Oaks Park and Eastern Promenade without prior approval from the city
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized law enforcement drone surveillance without warrant (25 M.R.S.A. § 4502-4505) | Civil Violation | Up to $5,000 | None (civil remedy only) | Private civil action; defendant is state or law enforcement agency | Attorney fees and court costs also recoverable from defendants |
| Using drone to hunt or locate bear, deer, or moose (12 M.R.S.A. § 11216) | Hunting Violation | $100 to $500 | None specified | Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; Game Wardens | Drone will be confiscated; violation includes both actual hunting and assisting ground hunters in locating game |
| Unauthorized drone use in Maine state parks | Administrative Violation | None specified (enforcement via permit denial) | None | Bureau of Parks and Lands | Remedy is denial of Special Activity Permit and removal from park |
| Unauthorized drone use over correctional facilities (LD 2157) | Criminal (classification to be determined by implementing statute) | To be determined | To be determined | Maine Department of Corrections; Local Law Enforcement | New law effective April 8, 2026 |
Unauthorized law enforcement drone surveillance without warrant (25 M.R.S.A. § 4502-4505)
Attorney fees and court costs also recoverable from defendants
Using drone to hunt or locate bear, deer, or moose (12 M.R.S.A. § 11216)
Drone will be confiscated; violation includes both actual hunting and assisting ground hunters in locating game
Unauthorized drone use in Maine state parks
Remedy is denial of Special Activity Permit and removal from park
Unauthorized drone use over correctional facilities (LD 2157)
New law effective April 8, 2026
Registration Requirements
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Maine does not require state-level drone registration. All drones over 250 grams must be registered with the FAA ($5 for 3 years). Drones under 250 grams used recreationally are exempt from FAA registration but must still follow all flight rules.
No state-level permit required for general recreational or commercial drone operations. A Special Activity Permit from the Bureau of Parks and Lands is required to fly in Maine state parks. Commercial drone use in state parks is prohibited entirely, even with a permit.
Maine does not legally require drone insurance for commercial operators. However, liability insurance is required for any Special Activity Permit application for state parks. Most commercial clients in Maine expect at least $1 million in coverage, and state government drone operations require insurance.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Remote ID Requirement
Remote ID required on all registered drones since March 2024
All FAA-registered drones must broadcast Remote ID information. Maine has no state exemptions from this federal mandate.
FAA Part 107 Commercial Certification
Commercial drone operators must obtain FAA Remote Pilot Certificate
All commercial drone operations in Maine require an FAA Part 107 certificate ($175 test fee). Maine imposes no additional state-level commercial licensing or permitting beyond federal FAA requirements.
Recreational Pilot TRUST Test
Recreational pilots must pass Recreational UAS Safety Test
All recreational drone pilots in Maine must pass the free online TRUST test before flying. Maine has no additional recreational pilot licensing requirements.
Visual Line of Sight and Altitude Restrictions
400 feet AGL maximum altitude; visual line of sight required
Maine enforces standard FAA VLOS requirements and 400-foot altitude limits. Both recreational and Part 107 commercial pilots must maintain VLOS with the aircraft or use an authorized visual observer in direct communication.
Acadia National Park Drone Ban
National Park Service Policy Memorandum 14-05 (2014) bans all drones
Acadia National Park enforces a complete drone ban under NPS policy. Violations carry misdemeanor charges, up to $5,000 fines, and/or 6 months imprisonment, with possible drone confiscation. This is a federal NPS rule, not a state rule.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Maine has not enacted a drone-specific critical infrastructure statute as of this writing. Pilots remain subject to general state laws on trespass, voyeurism, privacy, and reckless endangerment, and to all federal regulations including FAA Part 107.
Read the federal preemption guide →Airspace & LAANC
LAANC Coverage
LAANC is available at Portland International Jetport (PWM, Class C airspace) and Bangor International Airport (BGR, Class D airspace). LAANC authorization is available near real-time for flights under 400 feet AGL. Check ceiling altitudes in UAS Facility Maps before flying near airports.
Major Airports
PWM — Portland International JetportBGR — Bangor International Airport
TFR Notice
Check B4UFLY app or FAA website for current Temporary Flight Restrictions. Acadia National Park has a permanent NPS drone ban (Federal). Maine has several military and civilian airports creating controlled airspace pockets along the coast and interior.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Portland City Council Approves Police Drone Program with Strict Limitations
regulatory changePortland City Council voted 6-3 to approve a $45,316 Axon-Skydio drone purchase for police use after rejecting it 4-3 in November 2025. The approved proposal restricts drone use to search and rescue, accident reconstruction, and monitoring barricaded suspects—explicitly excluding surveillance. This reflects Maine's strict law enforcement drone surveillance requirements.
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maine | UMaine requires advance coordination with campus police and the Office of Safety and Environmental Management before conducting drone operations on university property. Restrictions: Coordination with campus police required. No flights over events, gatherings, or other persons without explicit approval. | Yes | Office of Safety and Environmental Management |
Last Updated
This page is automatically verified and updated weekly by our AI-powered legal research agent (v1.0.0). While we strive for accuracy, always verify critical information with official state sources.
Stay Compliant
Stay Compliant. Stay Organized.
Now that you know Maine's drone laws, let PilotLedger help you stay on top of compliance. Manage your quotes, invoices, clients, and run your drone business from one platform.