North Dakota Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
North Dakota maintains one of the most permissive drone regulatory environments in the United States, with no state registration requirements, no local ordinances, and the nation's only statewide beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) infrastructure network. The state's primary drone law prohibits private surveillance without consent but is notably the only state explicitly permitting law enforcement to equip drones with less-than-lethal weapons.
State Drone Laws
NDCC 29-29.4Surveillance by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
North Dakota's comprehensive statute regulating unmanned aircraft surveillance and weaponization, originally enacted in August 2015 (HB 1328) and amended in 2025 (HB 1613) to include robotic devices. Section 29-29.4-02 uniquely permits law enforcement to equip drones with less-than-lethal weapons including rubber bullets, Tasers, tear gas, and pepper spray. Section 29-29.4-03 requires law enforcement to obtain a search warrant before conducting drone surveillance, with exceptions for border patrol operations within 25 miles of the Canadian border, exigent circumstances, natural catastrophes, and educational/research purposes; evidence obtained without a warrant is inadmissible in court. Section 29-29.4-05 prohibits any person from using a drone to conduct surveillance of a private person, property, or property owner without their consent.
ND Unmanned Aerial Applicator LicenseAgricultural Aerial Application License
North Dakota requires operators who use drones for agricultural aerial application (crop spraying) to obtain a North Dakota Unmanned Aerial Applicator License from the ND Aeronautics Commission ($200 fee). Applicants must also hold: (1) FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, (2) FAA Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate, and (3) North Dakota State University (NDSU) Pesticide Certificate. Operators must attend at least one safety meeting per year through either the ND Aeronautics Commission or PAASS. This is the most demanding state-level agricultural drone licensing stack in the United States.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
No local ordinances on record. Check with your local city or county government for any drone-specific regulations.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private surveillance with a drone without consent (NDCC 29-29.4-05) | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to $3,000 | Up to 360 days | North Dakota State Police / Local Law Enforcement | This is the primary criminal penalty for drone use in North Dakota. Applies to all persons, not just law enforcement. Evidence obtained through warrantless law enforcement surveillance is inadmissible in court. |
Private surveillance with a drone without consent (NDCC 29-29.4-05)
This is the primary criminal penalty for drone use in North Dakota. Applies to all persons, not just law enforcement. Evidence obtained through warrantless law enforcement surveillance is inadmissible in court.
Registration Requirements
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
North Dakota does not require separate state-level drone registration beyond federal requirements. All drones over 250g must be FAA-registered ($5 for 3 years). Agricultural aerial applicators must obtain a North Dakota Unmanned Aerial Applicator License ($200) but this is a licensing requirement, not registration.
No statewide permits required for recreational or commercial drone operations. Agricultural applicators must obtain ND Unmanned Aerial Applicator License.
No state-mandated insurance requirement, though it is recommended for commercial operations.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Remote ID Compliance
Federally required since March 2024
All FAA-registered drones must broadcast Remote ID information. North Dakota has no state-specific Remote ID exemptions or additional requirements.
Vantis Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) Network
Statewide BVLOS infrastructure unique to North Dakota
North Dakota activated the Vantis network in 2026, the most advanced UAS operating environment in the nation. This allows qualifying commercial operators to conduct BVLOS flights at up to 400 feet without chase aircraft across nearly all of North Dakota, including nighttime operations using detect-and-avoid technology. The Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) in Grand Forks is one of seven FAA-designated UAS test sites and serves as the development hub for Vantis.
FAA Part 107 Commercial Certification
Required for all commercial drone operations
North Dakota does not impose additional state certification requirements beyond FAA Part 107 for standard commercial operations. Testing centers are available in Bismarck, Fargo, and Grand Forks.
FAA Part 137 Agricultural Certification
Additional federal certification for agricultural aerial application
Operators conducting agricultural spraying must obtain FAA Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate in addition to Part 107 and state licensing.
TRUST Recreational Pilot Test
Required for recreational drone pilots
All recreational drone pilots in North Dakota must pass the free Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) before flying. Test is available online through FAA-approved administrators.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
North Dakota 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) is available at 726 airports nationwide. In North Dakota, LAANC authorization is available for controlled airspace operations at Bismarck Municipal Airport and other commercial airports. Authorization required for flights in Class B, C, D, and surface Class E airspace.
Major Airports
BIS — Bismarck Municipal AirportGFK — Grand Forks International AirportMOT — Minot International AirportFAR — Hector International Airport (Fargo)
TFR Notice
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (all three units), Knife River Indian Villages NHS, and Fort Union Trading Post NHS prohibit drone launches and landings under NPS policy. Grand Forks Air Force Base and Minot Air Force Base are restricted military airspace (no LAANC available). National Wildlife Refuges require special use permits. No published statewide drone ban for North Dakota state parks, but contact individual park managers before flying.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Brossart Case — First Drone-Assisted Arrest in U.S.
enforcementLaw enforcement used a U.S. Customs and Border Protection MQ-9 Predator drone to monitor the Brossart family during a 16-hour armed standoff near Lakota, Nelson County. The drone surveillance enabled SWAT to approach safely and make arrests. Rodney Brossart was acquitted of cattle theft but convicted of terrorizing police officers; his three sons received probation for misdemeanor menacing. This landmark case directly led to North Dakota's enactment of NDCC 29-29.4 in 2015, establishing the warrant requirement for law enforcement drone surveillance.
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Dakota | UND operates a leading UAS Center of Excellence and manages all campus drone operations through formal approval procedures. The university distinguishes between academic/research operations (managed through the UAS Center of Excellence) and non-academic recreational flights (which require campus safety coordination). Restrictions: Non-academic recreational drone flights on campus must obtain prior written approval from Campus Safety. Academic and research operations are coordinated through the UAS Center of Excellence. | Yes | UAS Center of Excellence / Campus Safety Office |
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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