Do You Need a License to Fly a Drone for Real Estate? (2023)

Yes, you need a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) to fly a drone for real estate purposes. This applies to both real estate agents and professional drone photographers.

There are some legal requirements that real estate agents and drone pilots need to be aware of. So, in this article, I will discuss the FAA’s regulations for flying drones for commercial purposes, including the requirements for getting a drone license.

I will also cover the specific regulations for flying drones for real estate purposes, such as the need to obtain permission from the property owner before flying over their property.

By the end of this article, you will know whether or not you need a license to fly a drone for real estate, and you will be familiar with the key regulations that you need to follow and ultimately question: Do You Need a License to Fly a Drone for Real Estate? will be answered.

Do you need a license to fly a drone for real estate?

Yes, you need a license to fly a drone for real estate. If you intend to fly a drone for your real estate dealings, you’ll need an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC).

So will any professional drone photographer, so if you are comparing your options, make sure to ask for the photographer’s license before hiring them¹.

One of the initial queries that often arises among real estate agents contemplating the acquisition of their own drone and photo software versus hiring a professional is, “Is a drone license required for flying?” In brief, the answer is affirmative – a license is indeed necessary.

There are many legalities to consider. To engage in commercial drone operations, it’s imperative to possess a drone pilot license.

This requirement applies whether you intend to sell aerial photos and videos to real estate agents or if you’re a real estate agent utilizing a drone to capture footage for the purpose of marketing and selling properties.².

Do I need a license to fly a drone for commercial purposes?

Yes, you need a license to fly a drone for commercial purposes. In the USA the FAA requires that you obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate to fly your drone under the FAA’s Small UAS Rule (Part 107)³.

This certificate signifies your comprehension of the regulations, operational prerequisites, and protocols for safely operating drones.

The FAA’s certification requirements apply only to drone pilots who wish to fly their drones commercially. The Part 107 remote pilot certificate is granted to drone pilots who have passed a knowledge test that touches on various topics related to aviation⁴.

This is the FAA’s way to ensure that all commercial drone pilots are aware of safety-related restrictions on drone flights.

In addition to having to earn a “drone license,” commercial drone pilots are also required to follow a few other rules that don’t apply to those who only wish to fly for fun. These include reporting any drone-related accidents to the FAA, doing a pre-flight inspection, and maintaining a drone flight logbook⁵.

So, if you are flying your drone for anything other than recreational purposes, then you are required to have a Part 107 license from the FAA. Part 107 also enforces several restrictions on drone flight.

What are the requirements for getting a drone license for real estate?

It is so much important to know. So, to use drones for real estate professionally, you need to be a commercially licensed drone pilot, or remote pilot as the FAA calls it.

Licensing involves taking an FAA examination covering aviation topics ranging from airspace regulations and restrictions to aviation physics⁶.

The most important requirement is that you have a Part 107 remote pilot certificate, more commonly known as a drone license. The Part 107 rules were put into law back in 2016, providing a legal framework for all drone operations that were done to earn a profit or to aid a business⁷.

The FAA requires these basic qualifications before you can apply for the drone license: Be at least 16 years of age Be able to read, write, understand, and speak English⁸.

One of the paramount stipulations within Part 107 mandates that commercial drone pilots must obtain a drone license before they can legally commence operations. This requires that they pass a Part 107 knowledge test which will assess their proficiency on various aviation-related topics⁹.

The certification requirement ensures that all commercial drone pilots are well-versed in standard safety practices and possess a deep understanding of therestrictions outlined in Part 107.

How much does it cost to get a drone license for real estate?

The cost of getting a drone license for real estate is relatively low. In the USA, the FAA requires you to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate. The cost of getting your drone license is less than $500¹⁰.

This includes the cost of taking the FAA’s knowledge test, which is required to obtain the certificate. In addition to the cost of obtaining the license, there may be other costs associated with using drones for real estate. For example, you may need to purchase a drone and any necessary accessories, such as a camera or additional batteries.

You may also need to pay for training or study materials to prepare for the FAA’s knowledge test. It is important to note that using drones for real estate can be a profitable endeavor. Many drone pilots make at least $200-$300 per project for residential real estate work¹¹.

The amount you can make doing real estate drone photography depends on your level of experience and the depth of your body of work.

What are the FAA’s specific regulations for flying drones for real estate?

As I have told you before in the USA the FAA has established regulations for flying drones. These regulations apply to both recreational and commercial drone pilots, including those using drones for real estate purposes¹².

Now let me tell you some of the drone laws and I would recommend that you read the actual laws from the official authority websites.

First of all as usual drones must be registered with the FAA, and those used for real estate business purposes should be registered under Part 107.

Drones must weigh less than 55 pounds. Pilots must abide by the FAA’s airspace restrictions; the FAA’s safety app provides real-time restriction info.

Drones must always be in sight. Maximum operating height is 400 feet; maximum operating speed is 100 mph.

It is important to note that these are just some of the regulations that apply to flying drones for real estate. For a complete list of regulations, you can visit the FAA’s website¹³.

Additionally, if you are starting a drone business, organization, or a new drone program (including public safety) that will fly for any purpose other than recreation, you will need to create a Part 107 account on FAA DroneZone.

Do I need to get permission from the property owner before flying a drone over their property?

Yes, it is essential to obtain permission from the property owner before flying a drone over their property. While the FAA does not specifically regulate drone flights over private property, respecting the privacy and rights of others is crucial¹⁴.

Acquiring permission can be a straightforward process, often achieved by reaching out to the owner via email or phone call. Unauthorized drone flyovers could result in criminal trespassing charges if reported to the police, especially if the property owner has previously asked the drone operator to stop.

It is important to keep in mind that there are some FAA regulations that you need to follow when flying a drone over someone else’s property. You can legally fly a drone over private property and houses in the US, as long as you are not invading the owner’s privacy, damaging property, or putting people’s lives at risk.

What are the risks of flying a drone for real estate purposes?

Flying a drone for real estate purposes can pose several risks. One of the most significant risks is the potential for injury or property damage. Drones can crash or collide with objects, causing harm to people or property. It is essential to follow all FAA regulations and guidelines to minimize these risks.

Another risk associated with flying drones for real estate is the potential for privacy violations. You know, drones can capture images and videos of people and property without their consent. It is a very bad thing, I think and you should not do that.

It is important to obtain permission from property owners before flying a drone over their property and to respect the privacy of others.

There are also legal risks associated with flying drones for real estate. If you do not follow FAA regulations, you could face fines or other penalties. It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest regulations and to ensure that you are operating your drone legally.

Important FAQs

Final Thoughts

Flying a drone for real estate purposes requires a drone license from the FAA. The requirements for getting a drone license include being at least 16 years old, being able to read, write, understand, and speak English, and passing the FAA’s knowledge test.

The cost of getting a drone license varies depending on the training and study materials you choose.

In addition to having a drone license, there are other regulations that you need to follow when flying a drone for real estate.

These regulations include flying below 400 feet, staying away from airports and other restricted airspace, and obtaining permission from property owners before flying over their property.

By following these regulations, you can help to ensure the safe and legal operation of drones for real estate purposes.

Images by Canva.com & FAA.com

1. What real estate agents need to know about using drones to get aerial …. https://www.thedronegirl.com/2021/05/21/real-estate-agents-using-drones/.
2. Can I Use My Drone for Real Estate? – Pilot Institute. https://pilotinstitute.com/drones-real-estate/.
3. Become a Drone Pilot | Federal Aviation Administration. https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot.
4. What Does the FAA Consider as Commercial Drone Use? https://pilotinstitute.com/commercial-drone-use/.
5. What Does the FAA Consider as Commercial Drone Use? https://pilotinstitute.com/commercial-drone-use/.
6. Who Needs a License to Fly a Drone? – Pilot Institute. https://pilotinstitute.com/drone-license-requirements/.
7. Using Drones for Real Estate: Benefits, Use Cases and ROI. https://www.dartdrones.com/drones-for-real-estate/.
8. Real Estate Drone Photography: A Complete Beginner’s Guide. https://photographylife.com/real-estate-drone-photography.
9. Using Drones for Real Estate: Benefits, Use Cases and ROI. https://www.dartdrones.com/drones-for-real-estate/.
10. Real Estate Drone Photography: A Complete Guide – UAV Coach. https://uavcoach.com/real-estate-drone-photography/.
11. Real Estate Drone Photography: A Complete Guide – UAV Coach. https://uavcoach.com/real-estate-drone-photography/.
12. Getting Started | Federal Aviation Administration. https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started
13. Getting Started | Federal Aviation Administration. https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started.
14. Can I Fly Drone Over Someone Else’s Property? – DroneSourced. https://dronesourced.com/guides/can-i-fly-drone-over-someone-else-s-property/..