Drone Regulations in Minnesota: 2024 Rules & Requirements

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules govern drone registration, pilot certification, and airspace access in Minnesota. State law and agency rules govern privacy, law enforcement use, and operations in state parks and wildlife areas.

Quick Answer: What Drone Rules Apply in Minnesota?

Drone operations in Minnesota are regulated by federal, state, and local laws.

Federal rules (FAA) control:

• Aircraft registration for drones weighing 0.55 pounds or more
• Airspace access, altitude limits, and flight over people
• Pilot certification (Part 107) for commercial use
• Recreational pilot safety testing (TRUST)
• Remote ID broadcast standards

Minnesota state law and agency rules control:

• Warrant requirements for law enforcement drone surveillance
• Restrictions on harassing wildlife or interfering with hunting
• Drone use in state parks and wildlife management areas
• Data practices for drone footage collected by government agencies

Local rules from cities or counties may add further restrictions on takeoffs and landings in public parks.

FAA registration is required for any drone weighing 0.55 pounds or more. Recreational flyers of drones under this weight must still pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). All commercial operators must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

Minnesota does not have a separate state-level drone registration system. A bill that would have created one, SF 2043 (2017-2018 MN Legislature), was referred to committee and did not become law.

FAA Federal Requirements That Apply in Minnesota

All drone flights in Minnesota must comply with FAA regulations.

Registration

Drones weighing between 0.55 pounds and 55 pounds must be registered with the FAA before flight (14 CFR Part 48). The fee is $5 per aircraft for a three-year term. Registration is completed online at faadronezone.faa.gov. The registration number must be marked on the exterior of the aircraft.

Drones under 0.55 pounds flown for recreational purposes do not require registration. Commercial operators must register their drone regardless of its weight.

Recreational Flyers: TRUST

The FAA requires all recreational flyers to pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). The test is free, available online through FAA-approved administrators, and does not expire. Proof of passing must be carried during flight. This requirement applies only to hobbyists flying under the Exception for Recreational Flyers.

Commercial Operators: Part 107 Certificate

Any flight for commercial purposes requires the pilot to hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR Part 107). To obtain the certificate, an applicant must pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an FAA-approved testing center. The test fee is approximately $175. After passing the test, the application is processed through the FAA's online system.

Remote ID

As of September 16, 2023, most drones operating in U.S. airspace must broadcast identification and location information under the FAA's Remote ID rule (14 CFR Part 89). Drones produced after this date must have this capability built-in. Older drones must be retrofitted with a Remote ID broadcast module or be flown only in FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs).

Operational Rules

Standard operational limits under 14 CFR Part 107 include:

• Maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level (AGL)
• Operations only during daylight or civil twilight (with anti-collision lighting)
• Maintaining visual line of sight with the drone at all times
• No flights over moving vehicles or people unless the operation meets specific criteria
• No flights in controlled airspace without prior authorization

Authorization for flights in controlled airspace can be obtained through LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability), which offers automated, near-instant approvals for flights at or below published altitudes. Waivers for other operations, such as flying at night or beyond visual line of sight, require a manual application to the FAA and may take 90 days or more to process. Minnesota has Class B controlled airspace around Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) and other controlled airspace around regional airports like Duluth (DLH).

Minnesota State Law: Privacy, Surveillance, and Law Enforcement Drone Use

Minnesota has specific rules governing how government agencies may use drones.

Legislative History

Between 2013 and 2014, several bills were introduced to restrict drone surveillance, including SF 2687, SF 1506, and HF 1620 (2013-2014 MN Legislature). According to legislative records, these bills were referred to committee and did not become law.

Law Enforcement Warrant Requirement

State law places limits on how government entities, including law enforcement, may use drones for surveillance. A warrant is generally required before a law enforcement agency can use a drone to collect evidence or conduct surveillance where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Evidence gathered in violation of these requirements may be inadmissible in court. For the specific text and exceptions, consult the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes regarding government use of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Private Citizen Drone Surveillance

Minnesota has not enacted a specific criminal statute addressing drone surveillance by private citizens. However, using a drone to intrude upon the solitude or seclusion of another person could create civil liability under common law privacy torts.

Drone-collected data held by government entities is subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Consult the relevant state or local agency for information on how drone-collected data is classified, retained, and disclosed.

Minnesota-Specific No-Fly Zones and Restricted Areas

State and local rules may restrict drone flights in certain locations.

State Capitol and Critical Infrastructure

For current flight restrictions around the Minnesota State Capitol complex, consult the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the MnDOT Aeronautics Division. Flying near critical infrastructure, such as power plants and correctional facilities, may be restricted by state or federal law.

Minnesota DNR State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates drone use in state parks, wildlife management areas (WMAs), and scientific and natural areas (SNAs). Agency rules often prohibit or restrict launching, landing, or operating drones in these areas to protect wildlife and preserve the visitor experience. Before flying on or near DNR-managed lands, consult the Minnesota DNR for current administrative rules applicable to that specific location.

Tribal Lands

Flying a drone over tribal lands requires authorization from the relevant tribal government. Federal and state jurisdiction does not grant an automatic right to operate a drone over sovereign tribal territory. Contact the specific tribal nation's government office before flying over reservation land.

Temporary Flight Restrictions

The FAA issues Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) for security or safety reasons. In Minnesota, TFRs are common for:

• Sporting events at major venues like Huntington Bank Stadium, Target Field, and Allianz Field.
• Wildfire suppression operations.
• Presidential or other VIP movements.
• Emergency response incidents.

Always check for TFRs using an FAA-approved source like the B4UFLY app before every flight.

Airspace Lookup Tools

Wildlife, Hunting, and Natural Resources Drone Rules in Minnesota

Using drones for hunting or wildlife harassment is restricted.

Prohibition on Drone-Assisted Hunting

A 2017 bill, SF 124, proposed a specific prohibition on using drones to take, harm, or harass wild animals. While that bill did not pass, the Minnesota DNR has the authority to regulate methods for taking game. Using a drone to locate, scout, herd, or harass game animals is generally prohibited under existing fish and game laws. For current regulations, consult the official Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook provided by the DNR.

Migratory Birds

The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR Part 21) prohibits the harassment of migratory birds. Operating a drone in a manner that disturbs nesting or roosting migratory birds can lead to federal penalties, separate from any state violation.

Fishing and Drone Scouting

The use of drones to locate fish is not specifically addressed in Minnesota statutes or DNR regulations. For guidance on whether this practice is permissible, consult the Minnesota DNR Enforcement Division.

Legitimate Research and Survey Use

The DNR may issue permits for drone use for scientific research or wildlife surveys on state lands. Researchers should contact the Minnesota DNR to inquire about the permit application process, requirements, and any associated fees.

Permit Fees, Registration Timelines, and Operator Requirements at a Glance

LAANC authorization: Free and near-instant for flights at or below published altitudes. Manual FAA waivers can take 90 days or more.

Minnesota-specific drone operator license fee: None. Minnesota does not require a state-level drone operator license or fee.

Commercial operator insurance: Minnesota does not have a statewide mandate for drone liability insurance. However, clients may require it as a condition of a contract. Consult the Minnesota Department of Commerce for any state-specific insurance requirements for commercial UAS operations.

Next Steps: How to Legally Fly a Drone in Minnesota

Follow this checklist before flying.

Step 1: Determine your use type and drone weight. Are you flying for recreational or commercial purposes? Does your drone weigh 0.55 pounds or more? Your answers determine your FAA requirements.

Step 2: Register with the FAA if required. If your drone weighs 0.55 pounds or more, register it at faadronezone.faa.gov. The cost is $5 for a three-year registration (14 CFR Part 48).

Step 3: Recreational flyers, complete TRUST. Find an FAA-approved TRUST administrator online. The test is free and takes about 30 minutes. Carry proof of completion when flying.

Step 4: Commercial operators, pass the Part 107 knowledge test. Schedule the test at an approved testing center. After passing, apply for your Remote Pilot Certificate through the FAA DroneZone (14 CFR Part 107).

Step 5: Check airspace before every flight. Use B4UFLY or another FAA-approved tool. If in controlled airspace, obtain LAANC authorization before takeoff.

Step 6: Review Minnesota DNR rules for natural resource areas. If flying near a state park, WMA, or other DNR-managed land, check for local drone restrictions. Do not use a drone to assist with hunting or to harass wildlife.

Step 7: Check local municipal ordinances. Contact the city or county government for any local rules that may restrict drone takeoffs or landings in public spaces like parks.

Key Contacts

Verify contact information directly with each agency. The MnDOT Aeronautics Division is the primary state-level point of contact for general aeronautics questions in Minnesota.