South Carolina Drone Laws (2026): State Rules, Local Ordinances & FAA
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
South Carolina currently maintains a permissive stance toward drone operations, with the state's only enacted drone-specific statutes addressing corrections facility buffers and voyeurism. However, the state is undergoing significant regulatory transition: on January 1, 2027, the comprehensive H4679 Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act will expand restrictions to include military installations, increase penalties for weaponization and contraband delivery, and establish a partial preemption framework for local ordinances.
State Drone Laws
S.C. Code § 24-1-300Unlawful Operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Near Department of Corrections Facility
Prohibits operating a drone within 500 feet horizontally or 250 feet vertically of any South Carolina Department of Corrections facility without written consent from the SCDC Director. Commercial operators monitoring electric, communications, water, or transportation infrastructure are excepted if they register with the FAA and notify SCDC 2-5 days in advance. This statute will be repealed on January 1, 2027, replaced by expanded provisions in the Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act.
S.C. Code § 24-5-175Unlawful Operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Near Local Detention Facility
Prohibits operating a drone within 500 feet horizontally or 250 feet vertically of any local detention facility without written consent from the jail administrator. Commercial operators monitoring infrastructure are excepted under the same conditions as § 24-1-300. This statute will be repealed on January 1, 2027.
S.C. Code § 16-17-470Eavesdropping, Peeping, and Voyeurism
Prohibits eavesdropping, peeping, and voyeurism on or about another's premises, including through the use of drones equipped with cameras or surveillance equipment. Defines 'surveillance' as secret observation for spying upon and invading privacy. Defines 'view' to include intentional looking with a device designed to improve visual acuity, which encompasses drone cameras.
S.C. Code § 50-1-130Aerial Management Program Authorization
Authorizes the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to issue Aerial Management Program (AMP) permits allowing drone use for counting, photographing, relocating, capturing, hunting, or taking feral hogs and coyotes only. Permit holders must carry the AMP permit paired with a signed Landowner's Authorization for each tract and maintain a daily flight log. Outside the AMP carve-out, drone-based wildlife management or harassment is unlawful.
S.C. Code § 50-9-580Aerial Management Program - Feral Hogs and Coyotes
Establishes the Aerial Management Program allowing South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to authorize drone operations for counting, photographing, relocating, capturing, hunting, and taking of feral hogs and coyotes. Requires AMP permit holders to obtain signed Landowner's Authorization for each property and maintain flight logs.
S.C. Code §§ 55-1-200 through 55-1-230 (via H4679)South Carolina Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act
Comprehensive drone regulation framework creating Article 3 of Title 55 (Aeronautics) with four new sections. Establishes location-based prohibitions on drone operations within 1,500 feet horizontal of correctional or detention facilities, military installations, or their FAA-controlled airspace without written consent from the Director of Corrections or military authority. Defines criminal felony offenses for weaponization (up to 10 years and $25,000), contraband delivery to correctional facilities (up to 5 years), and criminal surveillance of military or correctional facilities (up to 5 years). Escalates misdemeanor penalties for location violations by offense count (1st: up to 6 months/$1,000; 2nd: up to 1 year/$2,500; 3rd+: up to 2 years/$5,000). Explicitly requires FAA compliance, preserves federal airspace authority, and partially preempts local government ordinances while allowing reasonable restrictions on takeoff and landing on municipal property. Repeals prior § 24-1-300 and § 24-5-175.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Charleston
cityDrone Operation Restrictions in City of Charleston
Prohibits drone operations within one-quarter mile of schools (during school hours), hospitals, parks, recreation facilities, sporting events, road races, outdoor festivals, fireworks shows, stadiums, or public gatherings of more than 50 people.
Restrictions
1/4-mile buffer around specified locations. Camera-equipped drones must maintain 200-foot distance from persons, vehicles, buildings, and structures. Drone owner and operator names and addresses must be affixed to exterior of aircraft.
Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission
countyBlanket Drone Ban in County Parks
Prohibits launching a drone in any CCPRC park or recreation area unless a permit has been granted for a designated area.
Restrictions
Blanket ban across all CCPRC properties including James Island County Park, Wannamaker County Park, Palmetto Islands, Caw Caw, Folly Beach County Park, Isle of Palms County Park, Stono River, Laurel Hill, McLeod Plantation, and SK8 Charleston. Permit inquiries: (843) 795-4386.
Folly Beach
cityDrone Operation Permit Required
Requires permits for drone operations within city limits.
Restrictions
No drone operations without permit approval from City of Folly Beach.
Mount Pleasant
townDrone Prohibition at Memorial Waterfront Park
Prohibits drone operation at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park.
Restrictions
Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park closed to drone operations.
SeaBrook Island
townFAA Certification and Registration Requirement
Requires drone operators to hold valid FAA Remote Pilot Certificate and have aircraft registered with FAA before launching or landing within town limits.
Restrictions
Launching or landing drones within town limits requires FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and FAA aircraft registration.
Hunting Island State Park
countyState Park Drone Ban
Explicitly prohibits drone operations at Hunting Island State Park.
Restrictions
Drones are prohibited at Hunting Island State Park in Beaufort County.
Falls Park on the Reedy
cityGreenville Parks Drone Prohibition
Prohibits drones at Falls Park on the Reedy, a major city park in Greenville.
Restrictions
No drone operations at Falls Park on the Reedy.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone within 500 ft horizontal or 250 ft vertical of SC Department of Corrections facility (current law through 12/31/26) | Misdemeanor | Up to $500 | Up to 30 days | SC Department of Corrections / SLED / Local Law Enforcement | Drone confiscation authorized. § 24-1-300 repealed effective 01/01/27. |
| Drone within 500 ft horizontal or 250 ft vertical of local detention facility (current law through 12/31/26) | Misdemeanor | Up to $500 | Up to 30 days | Jail Administrator / Local Law Enforcement | Drone confiscation authorized. § 24-5-175 repealed effective 01/01/27. |
| Drone-based voyeurism or eavesdropping on private property | Misdemeanor (voyeurism) to Felony (aggravated voyeurism with distribution) | Up to $5,000 | Aggravated voyeurism: up to 10 years | State law enforcement / Local law enforcement | § 16-17-470 applies to all drone surveillance invading reasonable expectation of privacy |
| Drone within 1,500 ft horizontal of corrections or military facility without authorization (effective 01/01/27, 1st offense) | Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | SLED / Local Law Enforcement / SCDC | § 55-1-220(A) - escalates with repeat offenses |
| Drone within 1,500 ft horizontal of corrections or military facility without authorization (effective 01/01/27, 2nd offense) | Misdemeanor | Up to $2,500 | Up to 1 year | SLED / Local Law Enforcement / SCDC | § 55-1-220(D)(2) |
| Drone within 1,500 ft horizontal of corrections or military facility without authorization (effective 01/01/27, 3rd or subsequent offense) | Misdemeanor | Up to $5,000 | Up to 2 years | SLED / Local Law Enforcement / SCDC | § 55-1-220(D)(3) |
| Contraband delivery to correctional facility via drone (effective 01/01/27) | Felony | Up to $10,000 | Up to 5 years | SLED / Federal law enforcement | § 55-1-220(C)(1) - intent to deliver contraband |
| Surveillance or mapping of military/corrections facility to identify vulnerabilities (effective 01/01/27) | Felony | Up to $10,000 | Up to 5 years | SLED / Federal law enforcement | § 55-1-220(C)(2) - criminal surveillance with criminal intent |
| Weaponized drone or use to threaten or harm person/property (effective 01/01/27) | Felony | Up to $25,000 | Up to 10 years | SLED / Federal law enforcement | § 55-1-220(C)(3) - most severe penalty |
| Aerial wildlife harassment outside AMP-authorized species | Varies | Varies | Varies | SCDNR Conservation Officers | §§ 50-1-130 and 50-9-580 - only feral hogs and coyotes permitted under AMP |
Drone within 500 ft horizontal or 250 ft vertical of SC Department of Corrections facility (current law through 12/31/26)
Drone confiscation authorized. § 24-1-300 repealed effective 01/01/27.
Drone within 500 ft horizontal or 250 ft vertical of local detention facility (current law through 12/31/26)
Drone confiscation authorized. § 24-5-175 repealed effective 01/01/27.
Drone-based voyeurism or eavesdropping on private property
§ 16-17-470 applies to all drone surveillance invading reasonable expectation of privacy
Drone within 1,500 ft horizontal of corrections or military facility without authorization (effective 01/01/27, 1st offense)
§ 55-1-220(A) - escalates with repeat offenses
Drone within 1,500 ft horizontal of corrections or military facility without authorization (effective 01/01/27, 2nd offense)
§ 55-1-220(D)(2)
Drone within 1,500 ft horizontal of corrections or military facility without authorization (effective 01/01/27, 3rd or subsequent offense)
§ 55-1-220(D)(3)
Contraband delivery to correctional facility via drone (effective 01/01/27)
§ 55-1-220(C)(1) - intent to deliver contraband
Surveillance or mapping of military/corrections facility to identify vulnerabilities (effective 01/01/27)
§ 55-1-220(C)(2) - criminal surveillance with criminal intent
Weaponized drone or use to threaten or harm person/property (effective 01/01/27)
§ 55-1-220(C)(3) - most severe penalty
Aerial wildlife harassment outside AMP-authorized species
§§ 50-1-130 and 50-9-580 - only feral hogs and coyotes permitted under AMP
Registration, Fees & Taxes
South Carolina imposes state-level registration, licensing, insurance, or fee requirements
Commercial operators: budget for the state fees below before operating here. Federal FAA registration is still required separately.
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Commercial License
Not Required
Sales Tax on Drones
Does Not Apply
- Other Fees
- Aerial Management Program Permit — Required for drone use to hunt, capture, count, or photograph feral hogs and coyotes. Issued by SCDNR. Fee amount not specified in public sources. TIP line: 1-800-922-5431.
South Carolina does not impose state-level drone registration, licensing, or business permit requirements beyond what the FAA already requires. Commercial operators need FAA registration and Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Recreational operators need FAA registration and TRUST certificate. No state-specific drone fee or registration is required.
No state-level permit required. State parks operate on a per-park basis — contact SC Parks, Recreation and Tourism at 803-734-0156. SCPRT does issue permits for commercial drone work in state parks, but there is no standardized online application.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification
All commercial drone operations in South Carolina must comply with FAA Part 107 Small UAS Rule
Commercial drone operators must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate obtained by passing the FAA knowledge test ($175 fee). Recreational pilots must pass the TRUST test (free, online). All drones over 250 grams must be registered with the FAA ($5 for 3 years). Remote ID mandatory since March 16, 2024.
Controlled Airspace and LAANC
Much of South Carolina, especially around major metros and the coast, is under controlled airspace requiring LAANC authorization
Charleston International (CHS), Columbia Metropolitan (CAE), Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP), and Myrtle Beach International (MYR) create controlled airspace covering major population centers. LAANC authorization available through FAA-approved UAS Service Suppliers for near-real-time approval.
Joint Base Charleston and Military Installation Airspace
Restricted airspace around Joint Base Charleston, Shaw AFB, Parris Island, Fort Jackson, and other military installations
These military installations have Federal Restricted Areas and security-sensitive airspace. State law (effective 01/01/27) adds a 1,500-foot horizontal buffer around all military installations requiring express written consent from Department of Defense or installation commanding authority.
Stadium Event Temporary Flight Restrictions
14 CFR § 99.7 stadium event TFRs apply during major sporting events
University of South Carolina football games at Williams-Brice Stadium, Clemson football games at Memorial Stadium (Death Valley), and Beaufort Water Festival create temporary flight restrictions. Check B4UFLY app for active TFRs before flight.
Critical Infrastructure Protection
Federal restrictions apply to drones operated near nuclear facilities, power plants, and transportation infrastructure
SC state law and federal law both restrict drone operations near critical infrastructure. H4679 (effective 01/01/27) adds criminal penalties for surveillance of military installations to identify vulnerabilities. Commercial operators monitoring infrastructure under federal Part 107 may qualify for exemptions with notification to corrections facilities.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
South Carolina's Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act (H4679) was signed into law by Governor McMaster on May 15, 2026 (Act No. 150), with an effective date of January 1, 2027. The Act establishes a two-tier partial preemption framework under S.C. Code § 55-1-230: (1) Local governments may NOT enact ordinances conflicting with Title 55 Article 3 or FAA rules; (2) Local governments MAY impose reasonable restrictions on drone takeoff and landing from or above their own public property. Existing public-property bans (CCPRC parks, Columbia city parks, Falls Park, Hunting Island State Park, Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park) are preserved under the second tier and are not at risk. Ordinances functioning as airspace restrictions regardless of takeoff location — particularly Charleston's 1/4-mile school/hospital radius and Folly Beach's city-wide permit requirement — face preemption exposure and should be reviewed by municipal counsel before January 1, 2027. The Seabrook Island ordinance requiring FAA Remote Pilot Certificate for ALL operators (including recreational) is the most legally vulnerable, as it conflicts with both H4679 and the federal recreational exemption framework under 49 USC § 44809. No South Carolina law currently requires a government warrant for drone surveillance by law enforcement — a significant gap compared to states like Florida, Texas, and Indiana that have enacted UAS surveillance warrant requirements. This legislative gap may attract attention in the 2027 session given increased law enforcement drone adoption. All municipal attorneys in South Carolina should audit local drone ordinances against the H4679 framework before the January 1, 2027 effective date. NOTE: § 55-1-210/220/230 also correspond to South Carolina's pre-existing 2016 UAS Act (Act 236) sections addressing FAA compliance, weaponization, and preemption — this pass could not confirm from source material whether H4679 amends those existing sections or whether the dataset has conflated the 2016 Act with a distinct 2026 bill. Flagged for verification against actual bill/act text.
Airspace & LAANC
LAANC Coverage
Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) is available at 726 airports nationwide, including major South Carolina airports. Required for operations in Class B, C, D, and surface-E airspace under 400 feet. Available through FAA-approved UAS Service Suppliers.
Major Airports
CHS — Charleston International Airport (Class C, shared with Joint Base Charleston)CAE — Columbia Metropolitan Airport (Class C)GSP — Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (Class C)MYR — Myrtle Beach International Airport (Class D with extensive Class E shelves over Grand Strand)HXD — Hilton Head Island Airport (Class D)GMU — Greenville Downtown Airport/Donaldson Field (Class D)
TFR Notice
Stadium event TFRs under 14 CFR § 99.7 apply during University of South Carolina (Williams-Brice Stadium), Clemson University (Memorial Stadium), and Beaufort Water Festival events. Check B4UFLY before every flight. TFRs for security-sensitive areas near Joint Base Charleston, Shaw AFB, Parris Island, Fort Jackson, MCAS Beaufort, Coast Guard sector Charleston.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
No recent enforcement actions or news on record.
Pending Legislation
H3945In Committee (Recommitted to Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee)Aerial Management of Wild Animals
Would amend S.C. Code by clarifying Section 50-9-580 to authorize the counting, photographing, relocating, capturing, hunting, or taking of feral hogs or coyotes by unmanned aircraft under permit. Note: The Aerial Management Program (AMP) appears to already exist under §§ 50-1-130 and 50-9-580 based on current regulatory sources as of May 2026; this bill may clarify or expand existing authority.
Last action: March 5, 2025
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina | USC requires all UAS operations on campus to obtain approval from the Office of Environmental Health & Safety. Williams-Brice Stadium operates a Temporary Flight Restriction during football games. Restrictions: All drone flights on campus require prior approval from EHS. Williams-Brice Stadium (home of Gamecocks football) is a TFR during games. No flights over buildings, crowds, or parking areas without authorization. | Yes | Office of Environmental Health & Safety, ehs@sc.edu or (803) 777-SAFE |
| Clemson University | Clemson requires drone operators to obtain approval from the Office of Risk Management and Environmental Health & Safety. Memorial Stadium (Death Valley) operates a Temporary Flight Restriction during football games. Restrictions: Risk Management / EHS approval required for all campus operations. Memorial Stadium TFR during games. No flights over buildings, crowds, or athletic facilities without authorization. | Yes | Office of Risk Management / Environmental Health & Safety |
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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