Maryland Drone Laws (2026): State Rules, Local Ordinances & FAA
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Maryland maintains a permissive stance toward drone operations through strong state preemption under Economic Development § 14-301, which reserves all drone regulation to the state level and supersedes local ordinances. The state has enacted targeted criminal statutes addressing privacy concerns, correctional facility security, and hunting restrictions, but does not impose broad drone-specific regulations beyond federal FAA requirements.
State Drone Laws
Md. Code, Economic Development § 14-301Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research, Development, Regulation, and Privacy Act
Reserves all authority to enact laws prohibiting, restricting, or regulating unmanned aircraft systems to the state level. Preempts and supersedes all existing and future county and municipal drone ordinances.
Md. Code, Criminal Law § 3-902Visual Surveillance in Private Place with Prurient Intent
Prohibits visual surveillance of an individual in a private place with prurient intent and without consent. Statute defines 'camera' to include any electronic device used surreptitiously to observe someone, including drone-mounted cameras.
Md. Code, Criminal Law § 3-903Visual Surveillance of Private Area
Prohibits surreptitious recording of the private area of an individual. Applies to drone-mounted cameras recording into private spaces.
Md. Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 10-402Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act — Two-Party Consent
Maryland is a two-party-consent state for audio recording. Prohibits recording private conversations without all parties' consent. Applies to drone microphones capturing private conversations.
Md. Code, Natural Resources § 10-410(j)Hunting from Aircraft
Prohibits hunting or attempting to hunt wild birds or mammals from an aircraft within the State. Applies to drones used to hunt or assist a hunt.
Md. Code, Criminal Law § 9-417.1Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Over Correctional Facilities
Prohibits using a drone to deliver contraband to a person in a place of confinement. Also prohibits intentional operation of a drone over a correctional facility to record images without authorization from the managing official or Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
HB 1349Unmanned Aircraft Systems — Trespass
Makes it illegal to use an unmanned aircraft system to knowingly enter the property of another person without consent. Does not require recording or surveillance — operating a drone over someone's property without permission is the violation.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Calvert County
countyParks & Recreation — Drone Operation Prohibition
Prohibits the operation of drones or any unmanned aircraft within any Calvert County park/recreation area.
Restrictions
No drone operations in county parks and recreation areas. Local ordinance may conflict with state preemption law § 14-301.
Maryland State Parks
countyCommercial Photography Policy
Requires commercial photographers and film productions to enter into an agreement and pay a service charge to use park facilities and lands.
Restrictions
Commercial photography and film production require prior agreement with Department of Natural Resources and payment of applicable service charge. Non-commercial low-impact operations (five people or fewer) may not require permits.
Ocean City
citySeasonal Beach Drone Restrictions
Prohibits drone operation over the beach, Boardwalk, or large gatherings of people during peak season without prior written approval.
Restrictions
No drone operation over beach, Boardwalk, or large gatherings May 1 through September 30 without written approval from Town of Ocean City Office of Emergency Management (410-723-6651). Framed as safety/privacy enforcement authority rather than airspace regulation.
Annapolis
cityMaryland Legislative Branch Buildings and Grounds — Drone Restrictions
Restricts drone use on State-owned property in Annapolis, including Maryland State House grounds and surrounding Legislative Branch area.
Restrictions
Individuals may not launch, land, or retrieve a drone on State real property without prior written approval from the Secretary or designee. Exemptions for federal, State, and local government entities and law enforcement service agencies.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operation of drone over correctional facility or contraband delivery to place of confinement (§ 9-417.1) | Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 3 years | Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services / State's Attorney | DPSC logged 35 confirmed drone sightings at state facilities in 2023 |
| Visual surveillance with prurient intent in private place (§ 3-902) | Misdemeanor | Up to $2,500 | Up to 1 year | State's Attorney / Maryland State Police | Victim has civil cause of action for damages |
| Visual surveillance of private area (§ 3-903) | Misdemeanor | Up to $2,500 | Up to 1 year | State's Attorney / Local Law Enforcement | Applies to drone cameras recording into private spaces |
| Unlawful audio recording without two-party consent (§ 10-402) | Felony or Misdemeanor | Up to $10,000 | Up to 5 years | State's Attorney | Maryland two-party-consent state; applies to drone microphones |
| Hunting from aircraft (§ 10-410(j)) | Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service | Federal Airborne Hunting Act provides additional penalties |
| Drone trespass — operation over property without consent (HB 1349) | Misdemeanor | Up to $5,000 | Up to 1 year | State's Attorney / Local Law Enforcement | No recording or surveillance required; operation itself is the violation |
| DC FRZ or SFRA violation (14 CFR § 93.339 / 49 U.S.C. § 46307) | Federal Misdemeanor | Federal penalty | Up to 1 year | FAA / U.S. Attorney for District of Maryland | Multiple Maryland pilots contacted by law enforcement for SFRA violations |
| National Park Service unit operation (36 CFR § 1.5) | Federal Class B Misdemeanor | Up to $5,000 | Up to 6 months | National Park Service | Applies to all NPS units including Assateague, Antietam, C&O Canal, Fort McHenry, Catoctin |
Operation of drone over correctional facility or contraband delivery to place of confinement (§ 9-417.1)
DPSC logged 35 confirmed drone sightings at state facilities in 2023
Visual surveillance with prurient intent in private place (§ 3-902)
Victim has civil cause of action for damages
Visual surveillance of private area (§ 3-903)
Applies to drone cameras recording into private spaces
Unlawful audio recording without two-party consent (§ 10-402)
Maryland two-party-consent state; applies to drone microphones
Hunting from aircraft (§ 10-410(j))
Federal Airborne Hunting Act provides additional penalties
Drone trespass — operation over property without consent (HB 1349)
No recording or surveillance required; operation itself is the violation
DC FRZ or SFRA violation (14 CFR § 93.339 / 49 U.S.C. § 46307)
Multiple Maryland pilots contacted by law enforcement for SFRA violations
National Park Service unit operation (36 CFR § 1.5)
Applies to all NPS units including Assateague, Antietam, C&O Canal, Fort McHenry, Catoctin
Registration, Fees & Taxes
No additional state registration or fees in Maryland
Only standard federal FAA registration applies. No state registration, licensing, or drone-specific fees on record.
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Commercial License
Not Required
Sales Tax on Drones
Does Not Apply
Maryland does not require state-level drone registration beyond federal FAA registration ($5 for 3 years for drones over 0.55 lbs). Commercial drone operators must obtain FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate but no additional state-level commercial license or permit is required. Maryland does not mandate insurance, though industry standard is $1 million general liability coverage for commercial operators.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Remote ID Compliance
Remote ID requirement effective March 16, 2024
All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID information. Standard Remote ID, broadcast module, or operation inside FRIA (FAA Recognized Identification Area) required. Recreational flyers need TRUST certificate.
DC Airspace Restrictions
Washington DC Special Flight Rules Area and Flight Restricted Zone
15-nm Flight Restricted Zone centered on Reagan National prohibits all UAS operations without waiver. 30-nm SFRA extends into Montgomery, Prince George's, Howard, and parts of Anne Arundel and Charles counties. Part 107 operators need SFRA-specific authorization. Recreational pilots limited to LAANC-authorized flights in outer SFRA.
Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification
FAA Small UAS Rule certification for commercial operations
Commercial drone use requires FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate ($175 test fee). Maryland has PSI testing centers in Baltimore, Columbia, Rockville, Annapolis, and other locations. Certificate valid 24 months.
National Park Service Units
NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 — drone prohibition
All drone launch, landing, and operation prohibited in NPS units nationwide. Maryland units include: Assateague Island National Seashore, Antietam National Battlefield, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Catoctin Mountain Park, Fort McHenry, Greenbelt Park, Monocacy National Battlefield, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad park. Violations are federal Class B misdemeanors.
14 CFR Part 93 Subpart V
DC SFRA operational rules for UAS
14 CFR § 93.339 codifies UAS restrictions in the DC SFRA. Restrictions ride on FDC security NOTAM reissued periodically; check FAA NOTAM Search and B4UFLY for current restrictions.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Maryland 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 (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) available in some areas, particularly outside the 30-nm DC SFRA boundary. Coverage significantly limited inside DC FRZ (15-nm ring). Always check B4UFLY app and FAA NOTAM Search before flying.
Major Airports
BWI — BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (Baltimore) — Class B airspaceMartin State Airport (Essex) — Class D airspaceAndrews Air Force Base — Military restricted airspacePatuxent River Naval Air Station — Military restricted airspace
TFR Notice
DC Flight Restricted Zone (15-nm ring from Reagan National) prohibits all UAS operations without rare FAA waiver. DC Special Flight Rules Area (15-30 nm ring) requires SFRA-specific authorization for Part 107 operations and offers limited recreational exception. Stadium TFRs at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium during athletic events. Camp David and surrounding area restricted when President present.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
No recent enforcement actions or news on record.
Pending Legislation
HB 471In Committee — JudiciaryPublic Safety - State and Local Governments - Use of Unmanned Aircraft
Would make evidence obtained through use of unmanned aircraft inadmissible in criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings. Would prohibit units of State government or political subdivisions from deploying or operating UAS except with specific exceptions (law enforcement with warrant, emergency response, etc.). Would prohibit using information acquired through UAS without authorization.
Last action: February 24, 2026
HB 954PendingPublic Safety - State and Local Governments - Use of Unmanned Aircraft
Restricts government drone surveillance and limits admissibility of evidence obtained through government drone use. Similar provisions to HB 471. Introduced in 2025 session.
Last action: December 4, 2025
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland | UMD requires approval from the Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk (ESSR) for all unmanned aircraft system operations. The university has an active UAS Research and Operations Center. Contact ESSR before any planned drone flights on campus. Restrictions: All UAS operations require prior approval from ESSR. Stadium TFR applies during athletic events at SECU Stadium. Proximity to DC airspace adds additional federal restrictions. | Yes | Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk — essr@umd.edu |
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.
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