Drone Laws in NJ Trustworthy Guide You Need to Know

Drones are becoming more widely used and more affordable for a variety of tasks, including delivery, surveying, mapping, photography, videography, and entertainment. But owning a drone and taking off are not the same thing. Drone operators are required to adhere to certain norms and regulations in order to protect their own privacy and the privacy of others.

The drone regulations in NJ, the state of New Jersey, that pertain to both recreational and business drone users, will be covered in this article. Additionally, we will offer some pointers and resources on how to operate your drone ethically and legally in New Jersey.

Federal Drone Laws in NJ

Let’s explore the federal drone regulations that are applicable to all states in the U.S., including New Jersey, before we delve into the state-specific drone legislation in NJ. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is in charge of drone safety in the United States, drafted these laws.

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Recreational Drone Laws in NJ

You are regarded as a recreational drone user if you utilize a drone for enjoyment or amusement. You must adhere to the following guidelines in order to fly a drone legally in New Jersey:

• You are required to take and carry the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) certification.
• If your drone weighs greater than 0.55 lbs (250 g), you must register it with the FAA and label it with your registration number.
• You are required to fly your drone no higher than 400 feet above ground level (AGL) or 400 feet over a building.
• You must use a visible observer or fly your drone inside visual line of sight (VLOS).
• Without the FAA’s prior approval, you may not fly your drone close to other aircraft or in restricted airspace.
• Unless they are directly involved in the activity, inside a covered structure, or within a parked vehicle, you may not fly your drone over people or moving vehicles.
• Under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or in a negligent or reckless manner, you must not operate your drone.

Commercial Drone Laws in NJ

You are regarded as a commercial drone user if you utilize a drone for professional or business objectives. You must adhere to the following guidelines in order to operate a drone for a living in New Jersey:

• You must pass an aeronautical knowledge test or satisfy the requirements for Part 61 pilot certificate holders in order to get a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA.
• If your drone weighs greater than 0.55 lbs (250 g), you must register it with the FAA and label it with your registration number.
• You must abide by Part 107’s operational guidelines, which include:
  • Drone flight below 400 feet AGL or 400 feet above a building.
  • use a visual observer or flying your drone within visual line of sight.
  • not using a drone in restricted airspace or in close proximity to other aircraft without the FAA’s prior consent.
  • Unless they are actively involved in the activity, behind a covered structure, or inside a parked vehicle, avoid flying your drone over people or moving vehicles.
  • not using your drone carelessly or recklessly, or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • requesting an FAA waiver for certain operations that don’t comply with Part 107 regulations.

NJ State Drone Laws

The state of New Jersey has passed several additional regulations that are particular to NJ drone operations in addition to the federal drone laws. Below is a summary of these regulations, which were developed by the New Jersey Legislature.

SB 3370 // 2017

This law:

• It is said that UAS owners or operators of critical infrastructure may submit an application to the FAA to prohibit or limit the operation of UAS near their critical infrastructure.
• demonstrates that using a UAS in a way that puts another person’s life or property in jeopardy constitutes a disorderly person charge.
• establishes that flying an unmanned aircraft system on the property of or close to a correctional facility “knowingly or intentionally creates or maintains a condition which endangers the safety or security of a correctional facility.”
• It is now against the law to use a UAS in a way that hinders a first responder.
• declares it a disorderly person offense to operate a UAS while under the influence of narcotics or with a BAC of.08.
• prohibits local governments from enacting any UAS regulations that are in conflict with this law.

New Jersey State Park Service Policy // 2015

In line with N.J.A.C. 7:2-1.4(b), this policy forbids the operating of drones on any lands or waters under the State Park Service’s management without prior permission from the Assistant Director.

Local NJ drone laws

Local drone laws in NJ were developed by various state agencies and are regulations that only apply to particular areas, cities, or counties within the state of New Jersey. Before flying your drone in a certain region, it’s crucial to examine the local drone laws since they may complement or deviate from NJ’s federal and state drone restrictions.

Some examples of local drone laws in NJ are:

• Ramapo Indian Hills—Municipal Law // 2016: According to this city regulation, drone use is not permitted on or over school property.
• Municipal Ordinance for East Bay Regional Parks (2016): According to Federal Regulations, this law forbids unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) from flying any closer than 500 feet above any East Bay District parklands.
• Municipal Law of the Borough of Northvale as of 2017: This law forbids the use of any drones in the Borough when flying below 400 feet in the following circumstances: Private property (unless the owner grants permission), All borough buildings and constructions, including side streets and alleyways, without prior authorization between dawn (sunrise) and dusk (sunset), over without their permission people or animals.

These are only a few instances of local drone laws in New Jersey. Research is advised before flying your drone in NJ because other parts of the state may have stricter municipal drone regulations. For additional information about local drone legislation in NJ, you may also get in touch with the relevant authorities or visit their websites.

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What Happens if You Break New Jersey’s Drone Laws?

That is a valid query. Depending on the nature and severity of the infraction, breaking New Jersey’s drone rules might have serious repercussions. The following are some potential consequences for violating New Jersey’s drone laws:

• Loss of drone: Law enforcement has the right to seize your drone if you fly it in a hazardous or careless way, including too close to an airport, over a crowd, or higher than the permitted altitude.
• Fines: If you use your drone improperly, you may be exposed to civil or criminal sanctions depending on the specific infraction. An example of a disorderly person crime that carries a punishment of up to $1,000 is operating a drone while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or putting another person’s life or property in danger.
• Jail sentence: Violations of drone laws may result in jail time, depending on the seriousness of the offense. For instance, a fourth-degree offense that carries a maximum 18-month prison sentence includes using a drone too close to a prison or interfering with a first responder.2.
• Criminal accusations: If you break FAA rules or jeopardize national security, you could also be charged on a federal level in addition to the state-level fines. For instance, flying a drone without permission close to a military base or in restricted airspace might result in fines of up to $27,500 and/or up to three years in jail.

As you can see, it is not worth the risk to violate NJ’s drone restrictions. You should always abide by the laws and regulations and operate your drone in a responsible and safe manner.

How To Sign Up Your Drone in New Jersey

In New Jersey, registering your drone is a quick and easy process. Just adhere to these simple instructions:

• Create an account on the FAA DroneZone website.
• Decide whether you’ll be using your drone for business or leisure purposes.
• Give your contact details, including name, address, email, and phone number.
• Give details about your drone, including its manufacturer, model, and serial number.
• Pay the $5 registration cost for recreational drone users or the $5 registration fee for commercial drone users.
• Get an email including your registration certificate and number.
• Use an engraving, sticker, or permanent marker to permanently mark your drone with your registration number.

I’m done now! Your drone has been successfully registered in New Jersey. Every time you fly your drone, you must have your registration certificate on hand (either a paper copy or a digital copy). To ensure safe and legal drone operations in NJ, you must also adhere to local and federal rules.

Tips and Resources for Flying Your Drone in NJ

Now that you know the drone laws in NJ, here are some tips and resources to help you fly your drone safely and responsibly in NJ.

• Before you fly, check the airspace. To find out if there are any rules or regulations in your area, utilize apps like B4UFLY, AirMap, or Kittyhawk.
• Obtain permission to fly in regulated airspace. The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system allows you to ask the FAA for permission and get it almost immediately.
• Observe other people’s property rights and privacy. Never use a drone to fly over private property or to capture images or videos of individuals without their permission.
• the best practices recommended by the drone community. The Drone Pilot’s Code of Conduct of the FAA and the Safety Code of the Academy of Model Aeronautics both provide extra information on the dos and don’ts of drone flying.
• Keep up with the most recent developments in drone legislation. For more information, go to the NJ State Assembly website or the FAA’s UAS website.

Conclusion

Although operating a drone can be enjoyable and rewarding, there are duties and obligations involved. You can make sure you are flying your drone legally and securely in NJ by adhering to the drone legislation in that state.

We trust that this post has given you further insight into NJ’s drone regulations and how to abide by them. Please feel free to leave any questions or comments in the space provided below. A happy flight!

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