Drone Laws in New Jersey (2024)

New Jersey Drone Regulations

 

Federal Drone Laws in New Jersey

These are drone laws that apply to every state in the U.S., including New Jersey, and were created by the federal government.

To fly a drone as a commercial pilot in the state of New Jersey (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 New Jersey (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 New Jersey (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 New Jersey

These are drone laws that apply to the entire state of New Jersey, and were created by the New Jersey Legislature.

SB 3370 // 2017

This law:

• Allows UAS operations that are consistent with federal law.
• Specifies that UAS owners or operators of critical infrastructure may apply to the FAA to prohibit or restrict the operation of UAS near the critical infrastructure.
• Establishes that operating a UAS in a manner that endangers the life or property of another is a disorderly person offense.
• Establishes that it is a fourth-degree crime if a person “knowingly or intentionally creates or maintains a condition which endangers the safety or security of a correctional facility by operating an unmanned aircraft system on the premises of or in close proximity to that facility.”
• It makes it a criminal offense to operate a UAS in a way that interferes with a first responder.
• Defines operating a UAS under the influence of drugs or with a BAC of .08 percent as a disorderly person offense.
• Pre-empts local governments from regulating UAS in any way that is inconsistent with this law.

New Jersey State Park Service Policy // 2015

This policy prohibits the operation of drones within all lands and waters managed by the State Park Service unless prior approval has been granted by the Assitant Director, State Park Service in accordance with N.J.A.C 7:2-1.4(b).

All drone pilots operating commercially in the state of New Jersey 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 New Jersey? 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey? To get great shots like these!

Local Drone Laws in New Jersey

These are drone laws that apply only to certain regions, cities, or counties within the state of New Jersey, and were created by various authorities within the state.

Ramapo Indian Hills—Municipal Law // 2016

This city ordinance prohibits the use of drones on or above school grounds.

Bernards Township—Municipal Law // 2015

This city ordinance prohibits the use of drones in or over any park or recreation facility.

Chatham Township—Municipal Ordinance // 2015

This city ordinance prohibits the use of drones in public airspace under 400 feet.

City of Ventnor—Municipal Ordinance // 2016

This city ordinance prohibits drones from taking off or landing on any government or public buildings, operating under 400 feet around any of these buildings or operating in any city parks or property is prohibited.

East Bay Regional Parks—Municipal Ordinance // 2016

This city ordinance prohibits drones from flying closer than 500 feet above any East Bay District Parks.

Borough of Franklin Lakes—Municipal Ordinance // 2016

This ordinance prohibits drones from operating in any airspace below 400 feet within the Borough:

• Over private property, without prior permission from the property owner;
• Over any street;
• Over any Borough building, without prior permission from the Mayor and Council;
• Between dusk and dawn; and
• Over any persons who are not participating in the operation, or any persons not directly participating in the operation of the aircraft located within 100 feet of the perimeter of the area over which the aircraft is being operated.

There are exceptions to these Borough regulations which can be found on the page linked above.

Passaic County—County Ordinance // 2019

This county ordinance prohibits drones from flying within or on park property without a permit issued by the Passaic County Parks Department. More information about drone permits can be found here.

Middlesex County—County Ordinance

This county ordinance prohibits drones from any Middlesex County parks, except in areas that are designated for such use and posted for this purpose by the Director of County Parks and Recreation.

Wayne Township—Township Code // 1989

This township ordinance prohibits drones from operating in any township parks unless the area is listed as a designated area for such use.

Long Beach Township—Township Code // 2015

This township ordinance prohibits drones from operating a drone within any airspace below 400 feet of the ground and structures within the township.

Palisades Interstate Park Commission—Park Ordinance // 2019 

This park ordinance prohibits the operation of drones within any property owned/managed by the commission.

Essex County—Park Ordinance // 2020

This park ordinance prohibits the operation of drones within any property owned/managed by the county.

Take a Drone Flight Training Class in New Jersey

UAV Coach offers in-person training in select cities in New Jersey. The 2-hour, in-person training class provides hands-on flight time with an instructor, practice with intelligent flight modes, and education on what to do before, during, and after a flight mission to stay compliant and safe. During the class, you’ll also get a chance to ask your questions about regulations, software, flight operations management, checklists and more.

Sign up for an in-person drone flight training class in New Jersey.

Looking to get in more practice flying your drone? In addition to taking a drone flight training class with one of our trained instructors, you can also scout out safe and legal places to fly on your own using our guide to the Best Places to Fly a Drone near Newark.

Want to get a feel for the kind of footage you could get flying a drone in New Jersey? Here you go: