Drone Regulations in Washington State (2025 Guide)

Washington drone laws explained: FAA rules, state statutes, permit requirements, privacy restrictions, and agency UAS policies. Updated for 2025.

Flying a drone in Washington requires satisfying both FAA federal rules and state statutes. Commercial, recreational, and government operators must understand specific restrictions on surveillance, flights over state lands, and operations near critical incidents.

Quick Answer: What You Need to Know About Flying a Drone in Washington

Commercial operators need an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Recreational flyers must pass the FAA TRUST test. Both must register any drone weighing more than 0.55 pounds and comply with Remote ID requirements. Washington state statutes add restrictions on where and how you can fly, particularly concerning individual privacy, correctional facilities, wildfires, and critical infrastructure.

Washington does not have a single statewide drone permit. Restrictions are found in multiple Revised Code of Washington (RCW) chapters. Local governments may add their own requirements.

Operator Category Comparison

Category	Federal Requirement	State Requirement	Key Restriction
Recreational	TRUST test, FAA registration	No surveillance without consent (RCW 10.79.015)	Must fly within visual line of sight; no flying over wildfires
Commercial	Part 107 certificate, FAA registration, Remote ID	Same privacy/surveillance rules; DNR/WDFW permits for state lands	Airspace authorization required in controlled zones
Government/Law Enforcement	COA or Part 107	Warrant required for surveillance under RCW 10.79.015; written UAS policy recommended	Subject to Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) for footage

Washington State Drone Laws: Key Statutes and What They Prohibit

Washington statutes add restrictions on top of federal FAA requirements.

RCW 10.79.015: Drone Surveillance and Warrant Requirement

RCW 10.79.015 prohibits using a drone to conduct surveillance of individuals in private spaces without their consent. The statute requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before using a drone for surveillance, with limited exceptions for emergencies, search and rescue, and certain public safety situations. Violations can result in civil liability and suppression of evidence. Consult the Washington Attorney General's office for the current scope of exceptions.

RCW 9A.44.115: Voyeurism Applied to Drone Cameras

Washington's voyeurism statute, RCW 9A.44.115, applies to drone-mounted cameras. Recording or transmitting images of another person's intimate areas without consent is a gross misdemeanor for a first offense and a class C felony for subsequent offenses. This statute applies to all operators.

RCW 79A.60: DNR Authority Over State Parks and Recreation Areas

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Washington State Parks regulate drone use on state-managed lands under RCW 79A.60 and related statutes. Commercial filming and photography using drones in state parks requires a Special Use Permit from Washington State Parks or DNR. Consult Washington DNR's Special Use Permit office for current requirements, as conditions vary by location and use.

WAC Rules: WDFW and DNR Managed Lands

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has authority to restrict drone use near sensitive wildlife areas and during nesting seasons. WDFW has not published a single, consolidated drone policy. Consult WDFW's Wildlife Program directly before flying near designated wildlife areas or refuges. Violations of WDFW access restrictions can result in civil penalties.

Wildfire Restrictions

Flying a drone over or near an active wildfire suppression operation is prohibited. Authority comes from state emergency powers under RCW 43.06.220, which grants the governor authority to restrict activities during declared emergencies, and from FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) issued over active fire areas. The combination of a governor's emergency proclamation and an FAA TFR makes flying near a wildfire both a state and federal violation. Check for FAA TFRs at tfr.faa.gov before any flight near fire activity.

Correctional Facility Restrictions

Washington restricts drone flights over correctional facilities. The specific RCW citation governing these flights was not confirmed in the source material. Consult the Washington Department of Corrections and the Washington State Legislature's RCW database to identify the current applicable statute before flying near any state or county correctional facility. Unauthorized flights may result in criminal charges.

State Preemption: Washington Does NOT Fully Preempt Local Ordinances

Washington has not enacted a statute that fully preempts local governments from regulating drone use for land-use purposes. Cities and counties may adopt their own drone ordinances covering parks, public events, and commercial operations. Check the municipal code of any city before flying commercially.

FAA Requirements That Apply in Washington

Federal law governs all drone operations in navigable airspace. Washington state law and FAA rules apply simultaneously.

Part 107: Commercial Operations

Any drone operation that is not purely recreational requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR Part 107). Requirements include:

Be at least 16 years old
Pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an approved testing center
Pass a TSA security vetting
Complete a recurrent knowledge test every 24 calendar months

TRUST: Recreational Flyers

Recreational flyers must pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). The test is free and available through FAA-approved test administrators. It covers airspace rules, safety practices, and emergency procedures. You must carry proof of completion when flying.

Drone Registration

All drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds must be registered with the FAA under 14 CFR Part 48. The registration fee is $5. Registration is valid for three years. Register at faadronezone.faa.gov.

Remote ID

The FAA Remote ID rule requires most drones to broadcast identification and location information during flight. Full enforcement began in 2024. Drones manufactured without built-in Remote ID capability must use a broadcast module. Flying at an FAA-recognized identification area (FRIA) is the only alternative for non-compliant drones.

Airspace Authorization: LAANC in Washington

The FAA's Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system provides near-instant airspace authorization in controlled airspace. LAANC is available at multiple Washington facilities, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Spokane International Airport (GEG), Paine Field (PAE), and Boeing Field (BFI). Check current LAANC availability through the FAA's UAS Data Delivery System or a third-party app. Manual airspace authorization through FAA DroneZone is available where LAANC is not, but processing can take up to 90 days.

Part 107 Waivers

Certain Part 107 restrictions, including night flight and flight over people, can be waived by the FAA under 14 CFR 107.200. There is no application fee, but the FAA's average processing time is approximately 90 days. Apply through FAA DroneZone with a detailed safety case.

Practical Tools

B4UFLY app: FAA mobile app for pre-flight airspace checks
FAA DroneZone (faadronezone.faa.gov): Registration, waivers, and manual authorizations

Government and Law Enforcement Drone Use in Washington: SB 5755 and Agency Rules

Current Law Under RCW 10.79.015

Washington law requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before conducting drone surveillance in most circumstances (RCW 10.79.015). The statute applies to state and local agencies. Exceptions exist for emergencies and search and rescue, but the default rule is warrant-first.

SB 5755: Status as of June 2025

SB 5755 (WA 2023-2024), "Concerning unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system use by state and local agencies," was reintroduced and retained in present status by resolution as of June 4, 2025 (OpenStates, SB 5755). It has not been enacted into law. If passed, this bill would likely require state and local agencies to adopt written UAS policies and impose limits on data retention from drone footage. Monitor the Washington Legislature's bill tracking system for future action.

What Agencies Must Do Now vs. What SB 5755 Would Add

Requirement	Current Law	If SB 5755 Passes
Warrant for surveillance	Required under RCW 10.79.015	Retained, potentially expanded
Written UAS policy	Not mandated statewide	Would be required
Data retention limits	Not specifically mandated	Would be imposed
Public reporting	Not required	Likely required

Public Records Act and Drone Footage

Drone footage collected by a Washington state or local agency is a public record subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, unless a specific exemption applies. To request drone records, submit a written public records request to the agency's designated public records officer.

Washington State Patrol UAS Program

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) operates a UAS program under its Aviation Division. Consult the WSP directly for current policy documents. Requests for WSP drone use records should go through WSP's Public Disclosure Unit.

SB 5187 Appropriations

SB 5187 (WA 2023-2024), the 2023-2025 operating appropriations bill, became effective May 16, 2023. The source material does not confirm whether SB 5187 included specific UAS or drone funding for state agencies. Consult the Office of Financial Management's budget documents or the enacted bill text to verify any UAS-specific appropriations.

What Changed Recently: 2024-2025 Regulatory Updates

FAA Remote ID Enforcement

Full FAA Remote ID enforcement began in 2024. Washington operators flying drones without Remote ID compliance are subject to FAA enforcement action. If your drone lacks built-in Remote ID, you need a broadcast module or must fly at a FRIA.

FAA BVLOS Rulemaking

The FAA is developing a beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) rule to create a framework for routine BVLOS commercial operations. As of mid-2025, the FAA had not published a final rule. When finalized, this rule will affect commercial operators in Washington, particularly in agriculture and infrastructure inspection.

SB 5755: Retained, Not Enacted

As noted, SB 5755 was retained in present status as of June 2025. It is not law. Operators should not treat it as binding until enacted.

DNR and WDFW Permit Guidance

The provided source material did not confirm any major consolidated drone policy updates from Washington DNR or WDFW. Consult each agency directly for current guidance, particularly for operations near state parks, natural areas, or sensitive wildlife habitat.

Seattle and Other Municipalities

No new drone ordinances for Seattle or other major Washington municipalities were confirmed in the source material. Check the municipal code of any city where you plan commercial operations before flying.

Permit Fees, Timelines, and Requirements by Use Case

Use Case	Permit/Authorization Required	Issuing Authority	Fee	Typical Processing Time
Recreational hobby flying (uncontrolled airspace)	TRUST test completion; FAA registration	FAA	$5 registration	Immediate
Commercial photography/videography (uncontrolled airspace)	Part 107 certificate; FAA registration; Remote ID	FAA	$5 registration; test fee varies	2-4 weeks for test scheduling
Commercial filming on state park/DNR land	Special Use Permit + Part 107	Washington DNR or State Parks	Varies; consult DNR	Consult DNR; allow several weeks
Research/academic use	Part 107 (if not purely recreational); airspace authorization if needed	FAA; land manager	Varies	Varies
Flying in controlled airspace (LAANC)	LAANC authorization	FAA via LAANC system	Free	Near-instant
Flying in controlled airspace (manual, no LAANC)	FAA DroneZone authorization	FAA	Free	Up to 90 days
Flying near wildfires or during emergencies	Prohibited by TFR and state emergency orders	FAA / Governor's Office	N/A	N/A
Part 107 waiver (night, over people, BVLOS)	FAA waiver application	FAA	No fee	~90 days
Law enforcement/government agency use	COA or Part 107; warrant for surveillance (RCW 10.79.015)	FAA; court	Varies	Varies
WDFW sensitive wildlife areas	Consult WDFW before flying; permit may be required	WDFW	Varies	Consult WDFW directly

DNR Special Use Permit note: The current fee and processing time for DNR commercial filming permits were not confirmed in the source material. Contact Washington DNR's Special Use Permit office directly for current fee schedules and lead times.

WDFW note: WDFW has not published a single drone permit fee schedule confirmed in the source material. Contact WDFW's Wildlife Program for requirements specific to your location and season.

Next Steps: How to Comply and Who to Contact in Washington

Compliance Checklist

Determine your operator category. Recreational, commercial, or government.
Pass TRUST or obtain Part 107. Recreational flyers complete TRUST. Commercial operators schedule the Part 107 knowledge test.
Register your drone with the FAA. Drones over 0.55 lbs must be registered at faadronezone.faa.gov.
Ensure Remote ID compliance. Confirm your drone has built-in Remote ID or attach a broadcast module.
Check airspace before every flight. Use the B4UFLY app. Obtain LAANC or manual FAA authorization for controlled airspace.
Review Washington-specific restrictions. Check for wildfire TFRs, proximity to correctional facilities, state park boundaries, and WDFW sensitive areas.
Obtain required state or local permits. Contact DNR for state park filming, WDFW for wildlife area questions, and the relevant city for local commercial operations.
Check the local municipal code. Any incorporated city may have additional rules.

Key Contacts

FAA Seattle Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) Handles Part 107 enforcement, airspace questions, and waivers. Website: faa.gov/contact/regional_offices/northwest_mountain Phone: Consult FAA's FSDO directory at faa.gov for the current number.

Washington DNR Special Use Permits For commercial operations on DNR-managed lands and state parks. Website: dnr.wa.gov Contact: Consult DNR's website for the current permit application portal and contacts.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Wildlife Program For questions about drone use near sensitive wildlife habitat. Website: wdfw.wa.gov Contact: Consult WDFW's contact directory for the appropriate regional office.

Washington State Patrol Aviation Division For questions about WSP UAS policy and public records. Website: wsp.wa.gov Public Disclosure Unit: Consult WSP's website for current contact information.

Seattle Office of Film + Music For commercial drone operations within Seattle city limits. Website: seattle.gov/filmandmusic Contact: Consult the office's website for current application requirements.

FAA Tools

B4UFLY app: iOS and Android
FAA DroneZone: faadronezone.faa.gov
TFR checker: tfr.faa.gov