Drone Laws
in Georgia (2026)

FAA rules apply everywhere in Georgia. The state and local laws on this page add to them.

Recreational Flying Made Easy: 2 hours of video on the rules and airspace for flying your drone.

Welcome to this wiki. The goal of this wiki is to crowd-source drone information. Having said that, information may be inaccurate, out-of-date, and should not be relied upon for legal advice.

Georgia State Drone Laws
These laws apply in the entire state.

House Bill 1230 (2026)

Makes it a felony to knowingly fly a drone above a prison, probation detention center, or jail, or to photograph or record one in order to commit a crime, punishable by 5 to 10 years. Using a drone to deliver contraband to inmates carries 1 to 10 years.
Drones flown in violation may be seized or destroyed. Law enforcement may track, intercept, or disable a drone on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity or an imminent threat.
Operators in compliance with federal regulations, peace officers on duty, and utility employees acting within their employment are exempt from the prison provisions.
Act 388, signed May 5, 2026. In effect from July 1, 2026.

Ref House Bill 1230 (2026)

Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites

Drone operations are prohibited in Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites. Waivers may be granted for professional commercial projecst which may generate revenue or help promote the sites. These have to be approved by the Division Director.

Ref State Parks and Historic Sites – Park Rules and Regulations

House Bill 481 (2017)

Any county, municipality, or political subdivision may not create any resolution, ordinance, or policy regulating the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems except if it has been adopted on or before April 1, 2017.
Another exception allows for resolution or policy prohibiting the launching or intentional landing of unmanned aircraft from public property.

Ref House Bill 481 (2017)

Georgia State Pre-emptions

Georgia State Legislature maintains pre-emption for all rules and regulations that concern recreational and commercial drone use.

Know a state law we missed? Suggest an edit.

City and County
Drone Laws

These laws apply in some areas.

Local drone laws in Georgia refer to policies and regulations that are enacted and enforced at the county, city, or town levels.

Richmond County

No personal shall launch or operate a drone in a highly populated area within Richmond County (except the cities of Hephzibah and Blythe) without written authorization from the Richmond County Sheriff. Exceptions are previously identified model aircraft fields.
A highly populated area is defined as any sporting, recreation, or entertainment event with a seating capacity of 100 or more persons, an open air assembly of 100 or more persons, or any area specifically designated by Augusta, Georgia Commission.
It shall be unlawful to use a drone to capture an image of privately owned property or the owner, tenant, or occupant without express consent.

Ref Richmond County Ordinance No. 7531

Cherokee County

It is unlawful to start, launch, or land any electric-powered model aircraft or unmanned aerial system in all Cherokee County public parks and recreation areas except at areas designed by the county.

Ref Code of Ordinances Section 42-55

Gwinnett County

It shall be unlawful for any person to start, fly or use any fuel powered engine, jet-type or electric powered model aircraft, boat or rocket or like powered toy or model, except at those areas designated by the director for such use and then only in accordance with such rules, regulations and restrictions promulgated by the director or the director’s agent.

Ref Code of Ordinances – Parks and Recreation