Massachusetts Drone Laws

State Drone Laws

These laws are applicable on the whole state of Massachusetts. They come under the Massachusetts General Court [1] and Massachusetts Department of Transportation [2]. Presently, there is only one state law in Massachusetts regarding the use of unmanned aircraft system.

302 CMR 12.00: Parks and Recreation Rules // 2016

There are several rules and regulations that need to be followed inside all the properties owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts, primarily including parks. According to this law:

No one is allowed to land or take off their unmanned aerial vehicles within the premises of any DCR owned property. This law can be exempted in case of emergencies.
It is also prohibited to fly any unmanned aircraft systems above any land or water body which is owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

If these laws are violated by any person, then that person may be fined, evicted, or banned from the DCR premises. A person violating the ban can be arrested and prosecuted.

Local Drone Laws

The local drone laws are implemented in only certain areas, cities, counties or towns. There are four local drone laws in Massachusetts.

City of Boston—Recreational Drone Guidance (2017)

This law is only applicable in the city Boston, Massachusetts. According to this law, unmanned aircraft systems can be flown over recreational parks in Boston but with certain limitations [3]. These limitations are determined by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 drone laws.

City of Chicopee—Municipal Law (2017)

This law is applicable only in the city of Chicopee, Massachusetts. According to this law, take-off and landing of a drone can only be done on private property [4]. If a person is using someone else’s property, then they require a written permission slip from the owner of that property. The following things must be included in the permission slip:

Name of land owner
Signature of land owner
The address of the property being used for landing or taking off an unmanned aircraft system
The timings and date of the operations of the unmanned aircraft system

Town of Holyoke—Municipal Law (2016)

This law is only applicable in a town in Massachusetts called Holyoke. According to this law, it is illegal to operate any unmanned aircraft systems over a property that is owned by the city or privately owned by someone who is not operating the UAS. A written authorization is required for such operations of unmanned aircraft systems.

City of Belchertown—Public Access Management Plan (2017)

This policy is only applicable in the city Belchertown, Massachusetts. According to this policy, a written permission is required to operate any unmanned aircraft systems over the Quabbin Watershed. This permission slip must state the date and time of the operation as well as the purpose of use. Another requirement for operating in this area is to have a drone which is registered with the Federal Aviation Administrations. This policy is not a local law, but rather it was imposed by the Division of Water Supply Protection.

Federal Drone Laws

The Federal drone laws are same for every state in the US, including Massachusetts. These laws specify how, when and where drones can be used based on the purpose of use.[5]

For recreational flyers

The “Recreational Model Aircraft” laws imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration are applicable on people who fly drones for recreational purposes. The “FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018” also states all the instructions a hobbyist has to follow for operating an unmanned aircraft system. Some of these rules are regulations are:

If your drone weighs more than 0.55 lbs., then it should be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration.
The unmanned aircraft systems should be operated within Class G airspace.
The altitude of the drone should not exceed 400 feet.
A permit is required for using any airspace other than Class G
It is necessary to constantly have a visual of the drone.
Flying directly over people is prohibited

For Commercially Flying a Drone

If you wish to operate an unmanned aircraft system for commercial purposes, then you must follow the following three steps:

Firstly, it is essential to be familiar with all the Part 107 rules given by the Federal Aviation Administration. These rules provide a series of instructions that must be followed while flying a drone.
Obtaining a certification is also important of you wish to pilot a drone. This certification is obtained after passing a Knowledge Test which is conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration. This exam helps test the person’s knowledge about applicable regulations for unmanned aircraft systems, impact of weather on UAS, loading and performance, radio communication, emergency operation, maintenance etc.
Getting your drone registered with the Federal Aviation Administration is also necessary for commercial use. The registration is valid for 3 years and costs $5. It is recommended to display the registration number on the drone so that it is easier to identify it in case it gets stolen or lost.

For Government Employees

A federal certificate of authorization (COA) from the Federal Aviation Administration must be obtained by all government employees who wish to operate an unmanned aircraft system. Alternatively, they can also follow the Part 107 rules and regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration. Some of the rules and regulation in FAA’s Part 107 laws are:

Passing the Aeronautical knowledge test to get a certification from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Obtaining authorization for entering in an airspace that is not Class G.
Never exceeding the altitude of 400 feet
Getting your drone registered with the Federal Aviation Administration
Operating your unmanned aircraft system in day time only