Drone Laws in Maine (2024)
A list of drone regulations and links for people flying drones in Maine.
Maine Drone Regulations
Maine Drone Regulations
Federal Drone Laws in Maine
These are drone laws that apply to every state in the U.S., including Maine, and were created by the federal government.
To fly a drone as a commercial pilot in the state of Maine (i.e. for work / business purposes) you are required to follow the requirements of the FAA’s Part 107 Small UAS Rule (Part 107), which includes passing the FAA’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate.
To fly a drone as a hobbyist in the state of Maine (i.e. for fun / pleasure) you are required by the FAA to take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). You are also required to follow the FAA’s recreational model aircraft rules. One of those rules is that if your drone weighs more than 0.55 lbs (250g), you’ll need to pay $5 to get it registered. There are additional rules when it comes to airspace and altitude, keeping your drone within line-of-sight while you’re flying, and more.
To fly a drone as a government employee in the state of Maine (i.e., for a police or fire department) you may either operate under the FAA’s Part 107 rule or obtain a federal Certificate of Authorization (COA).
Note: The content on this page is meant for informational purposes only, and is not meant to take the place of legal counsel.
State Drone Laws in Maine
These are drone laws that apply to the entire state of Maine, and were created by the Maine Legislature.
According to the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine Legislature, Maine has one state-wide law concerning the use of drones in the state.
This law requires law enforcement agencies to receive approval before adopting the use of drones, sets out standards for the operation of UAS by law enforcement, and requires that law enforcement secure a warrant to use UAS for criminal investigations.
Bureau of Parks and Lands Drone Policy
The general operation of drones is prohibited in Maine State Parks, Historic Sites, and DACF Boat Launches without direct oversite from an approved law enforcement agency or through a Special Activity Permit.
The commercial use of drones is prohibited under this policy in Maine State Parks, Historic Sites, and DACF Boat Launches.
Maine law enforcement agencies which include the Main State Police, Maine Warden Service, Maine Marine Patrol, Maine Forest Service, Maine County Sheriff Departments, and Maine Municipal Police Departments have the right to provide oversight and guidance for search and rescue operations under numerous circumstances which can be found here.
All drone pilots operating commercially in the state of Maine are subject to the FAA’s Part 107 rules. Learn more about the FAA’s certification process to obtain a commercial drone license in this free guide.
Know something we don’t about drone laws in Maine? Send us an email at support[at]horizonap[dot]com. We do our best to keep this list up-to-date, but the reality is that given the pace of the small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) industry and how municipal governments are responding, drone regulations in Maine can change throughout the year, and changes can be hard to track. If we missed something, please reach out to let us know.
Why fly a drone in Maine? To get great shots like these!
Local Drone Laws in Maine
These are drone laws that apply only to certain regions, cities, or counties within the state of Maine, and were created by various authorities within the state.
Our team wasn’t able to pin down any local drone laws in the state of Maine. If you know of one that should be listed here, please shoot us an email at support[at]horizonap[dot]com.
Want to get a feel for the kind of footage you could get flying a drone in Maine? Here you go:
