Search a ZIP code, city or airport, then tap the exact spot you want to fly on the map.
Most of the U.S. is open to hobby drone flights up to 400 feet, as long as you’ve passed the free TRUST test, registered a drone that weighs 250 grams or more, and keep it in sight. Near most airports you need free FAA approval first, usually in minutes through an app (LAANC). You can’t fly in no-drone zones like the Washington, D.C. area, military and national security sites, national parks, near major stadiums during games, or inside a temporary flight restriction. The checker above looks all of these up for any spot.
How to read your result
The colored squares on the map are the FAA’s UAS facility map grid around airports. The number in each square is the highest altitude the FAA will approve there automatically. Red outlines are no-drone zones; orange circles are the 3-nautical-mile no-drone rings around major stadiums, which apply during games.
We use the FAA’s latest drone maps, last updated October 29, 2026. The FAA refreshes them every 56 days, and we update ours after each new release. Temporary flight restrictions and national park boundaries are checked live every time you search.
The drone rules every hobby flyer must follow
If you fly just for fun, these are the FAA’s rules for recreational flyers:
- Pass TRUST, the FAA’s free online Recreational UAS Safety Test, and carry proof when you fly.
- Register your drone if it weighs 250 grams (0.55 lb) or more, put the registration number on it, and carry proof of registration. Registered drones also need Remote ID (broadcasting their ID), unless you fly at an FAA-recognized identification area (FRIA).
- Stay at or below 400 feet above the ground in uncontrolled airspace.
- Get FAA approval before flying in controlled airspace around airports (Class B, C, D and surface Class E), and stay at or below the approved altitude.
- Keep your drone in sight, with your own eyes or a visual observer standing next to you.
- Give way to other aircraft and never interfere with them.
- Fly only for fun and follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized community-based organization.
Flying for work, even a little (real estate photos, a paid video, roof inspections), falls under the FAA’s Part 107 rules instead, which require a Remote Pilot Certificate.
Flying near an airport: LAANC in plain English
Airports are surrounded by controlled airspace, where air traffic controllers are guiding planes. The FAA has divided that airspace into small squares and pre-approved a maximum drone altitude for each one, from 400 ft far out down to 0 ft right by the runways.
LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) lets you request approval at or below that altitude through an FAA-approved app, usually in near real time and free. At airports without LAANC, requests go through FAA DroneZone and are reviewed by hand, so plan ahead. A “0 ft” square means there’s no automatic approval at all.
Those approvals are there because controllers are working real flights a few hundred feet above you. A drone in the wrong place can stop departures or force a landing plane to go around.
No-drone zones you should know
Washington, D.C.
Within 15 miles of Reagan National Airport, flying a drone is prohibited without specific FAA authorization. Between 15 and 30 miles, hobby flying is allowed if your drone is registered and marked, you stay below 400 ft, keep it in sight and fly in clear weather.
Military and national security sites
The FAA restricts drones over many military bases and other national security sites, from the ground up to 400 ft. The checker shows them as red outlines.
National parks
The National Park Service bans launching, landing and flying drones in national parks without a permit. Breaking the rule can bring up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine. The ban covers the park’s land and water; it ends at the park boundary.
Stadiums during games
Drones are banned within 3 nautical miles of stadiums from one hour before to one hour after Major League Baseball, NFL, NCAA Division I football and major auto races.
Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs)
The FAA puts up temporary restrictions for wildfires, disasters, presidential visits, space launches and big events. They change daily. The checker includes today’s list, and you can also see them on our flight restrictions map.
Local and state rules
Cities, counties and state parks can have their own rules for taking off and landing on their land, and you need the owner’s OK to launch from private property.
Behind every approval, a controller
The airspace around every airport is watched over by air traffic controllers, who keep planes and drones safely apart. If you fly near an airport, the people on that frequency might appreciate a quick thank-you. Thank the controllers →
Sources
- FAA, Recreational flyers & community-based organizations
- FAA, Airspace authorizations for recreational flyers and LAANC
- FAA, B4UFLY (FAA-approved apps)
- FAA, DC area prohibited & restricted airspace
- FAA, Stadiums and sporting events
- National Park Service, Unmanned aircraft in the national parks
- Map data: FAA UAS Data Delivery System (UAS facility maps, national security UAS flight restrictions, prohibited areas, national defense airspace, stadiums), FAA temporary flight restrictions, and NPS park boundaries
Common questions
Can I fly my drone in my backyard?
Usually yes, if your backyard is outside the controlled airspace around an airport and not in a no-drone zone, and you follow the hobby rules: pass TRUST, register a drone of 250 grams or more, stay at or below 400 feet and keep it in sight. If your home is near an airport, you need free FAA approval first. Search your address above to check.
How high can I fly my drone?
Hobby flyers can fly up to 400 feet above the ground in uncontrolled airspace. In controlled airspace around airports, the limit is the altitude the FAA approves for that spot, which can be anywhere from 0 to 400 feet.
How do I get approval to fly near an airport?
Use an FAA-approved LAANC app to request approval at or below the altitude shown on the FAA’s UAS facility map. Approvals usually come back in near real time and are free. At airports without LAANC, apply through FAA DroneZone, where requests are reviewed by hand.
Do I need to register my drone?
Yes, if it weighs 250 grams (0.55 lb) or more. You also need to mark it with the registration number, carry proof of registration and, for registered drones, broadcast Remote ID. Every hobby flyer also needs to pass the free TRUST test.
Can I fly a drone in a national park?
No, not without a permit. The National Park Service bans launching, landing or flying drones on park land and water. Breaking the rule is a misdemeanor that can bring up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Can I fly a drone near a stadium?
Not during major games and races. Drones are banned within 3 nautical miles of the stadium from one hour before to one hour after MLB, NFL, NCAA Division I football and major auto racing events.
Can I fly a drone in Washington, D.C.?
Not within 15 miles of Reagan National Airport without specific FAA authorization. From 15 to 30 miles out, hobby flying is allowed if the drone is registered and marked, stays below 400 feet and in sight, and you fly in clear weather.
Is this checker official?
No. It is a free guide built from public FAA and National Park Service data. Always confirm with an FAA-approved B4UFLY app before you fly, and check temporary flight restrictions on the day of your flight.