What Happens If a Property Is in a No Fly Zone?

Sometimes, a commercial property is located in FAA controlled airspace where drone flights are restricted. This can happen near airports, military bases, stadiums, major events, sensitive locations, or areas affected by Temporary Flight Restrictions.

At DroneVideos.com, we know these situations can be frustrating for clients who need aerial photos or video for a commercial real estate project. Our goal is to keep your project moving forward while making sure every shoot is completed safely, legally, and in full compliance with FAA airspace rules.

What Is an FAA Drone No Fly Zone?

The phrase “no fly zone” is often used broadly. In many cases, a property is not truly impossible to photograph by drone. Instead, the location may require FAA authorization, manual FAA review, a lower flight altitude, a specific flight date, or a specific time window. Common situations include:

Before every drone shoot, DroneVideos.com reviews the airspace and determines whether aerial photography can be completed as scheduled or whether FAA approval is required.

What Happens When a Property Is Restricted?

If a property is located in FAA controlled airspace or another restricted area, DroneVideos.com will notify the client and explain the airspace restriction before moving forward. Most importantly, unless the client tells us otherwise, we still proceed with the scheduled ground photography. This helps keep the project on track even if the aerial portion of the shoot needs to be delayed.

Ground Photos Continue as Scheduled

When drone flights are restricted, ground photography is often still possible. Our photographer can continue capturing professional ground level exterior photos of the property, including:

These images are professionally edited and delivered according to the original schedule, which is typically within 2 business days after the property is photographed.

FAA Authorization, LAANC, and Manual Review

For many commercial drone operations in controlled airspace, FAA authorization is required before a drone can fly. In some areas, authorization may be available through LAANC, which stands for Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability. LAANC allows eligible drone pilots to request approval for certain flights in controlled airspace, often near airports.

Some locations require additional review. For example, a property may be inside a 0 foot FAA grid, which means automatic approval may not be available at the requested altitude. In those cases, a further coordination request or FAA DroneZone request may be needed.

DroneVideos.com submits the appropriate FAA airspace request to try to obtain approval for a future drone flight. Depending on the area, approval may be granted at a specific height, on a specific date, and during a specific time window.

What Does a 0 Foot Grid Mean?

A 0 foot grid does not always mean a drone can never fly there. It means the FAA has identified that area as requiring additional review before drone operations may be approved. For commercial real estate photography, DroneVideos.com may request approval to fly at a limited altitude, often between 100 and 200 feet depending on the location, airspace, and FAA guidance. The FAA may approve, deny, or modify the request. If approval is granted, it may come with specific conditions, including:

If FAA Approval Is Granted Later

If the ground photos are captured, edited, and delivered as scheduled, and FAA approval is granted at a later date, DroneVideos.com will return to the property free of charge to capture aerial photos up to the FAA approved height. This allows the client to receive the ground photos on time while still giving the aerial portion of the project a chance to be completed legally and safely once FAA approval is available.

Why DroneVideos.com Handles It This Way

Commercial real estate marketing often runs on tight timelines. Offering memorandums, listings, broker packages, investor presentations, and marketing campaigns cannot always wait for FAA review. Our process is designed to balance three important priorities:

By continuing with ground photos while pursuing FAA approval for aerials, DroneVideos.com gives clients the best possible path forward.

FAA Authorization vs. FAA Waiver

FAA authorization and FAA waiver are often confused, but they are not the same thing. An FAA airspace authorization gives permission to fly in controlled airspace, usually near an airport or another restricted airspace area. An FAA waiver allows a pilot to operate outside certain standard Part 107 rules, if the FAA determines the operation can be conducted safely. For many commercial real estate photography shoots near airports, the issue is usually airspace authorization. In more complex cases, additional FAA review, coordination, or a waiver may be required depending on the flight.

Temporary Flight Restrictions

Some restrictions are temporary called a Temporary Flight Restriction or TFR. These may be created for major events, emergency response, stadium events, VIP movement, presidential travel, security concerns, or other special situations. When a TFR is active, drone operations may be prohibited unless specific permission is granted. In these cases, aerial photography may need to wait until the restriction ends or until the proper authorization is available.

FAA Compliant Commercial Real Estate Drone Photography

DroneVideos.com provides nationwide commercial real estate photography and drone video services. Our team works with FAA certified drone pilots and follows the required airspace review process before each shoot. We regularly provide photography for:

Whether the property is in unrestricted airspace, controlled airspace, or a 0 foot grid, we review the situation and communicate clearly with the client.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you fly a drone in a no fly zone?

Sometimes. The phrase “no fly zone” is often used loosely. Some locations may require FAA authorization, LAANC approval, further coordination, or a specific approved altitude. Other locations, such as active TFRs or certain security restricted areas, may not be available for drone flights until the restriction ends or specific permission is granted.

What happens if my property is near an airport?

If the property is near an airport, it may be located in controlled airspace. DroneVideos.com will review the airspace and determine whether FAA authorization is required. If approval is needed, we can submit the appropriate airspace request and proceed with ground photos unless you tell us otherwise.

What is LAANC approval?

LAANC is the FAA’s Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability. It allows eligible drone pilots to request authorization for certain flights in controlled airspace, often near airports.

What is a 0 foot grid?

A 0 foot grid is an area shown on FAA UAS Facility Maps where automatic approval may not be available at altitude. It does not always mean a drone can never fly there, but it usually means additional FAA review or coordination is required.

Will my shoot be canceled if aerial photos are restricted?

Not automatically. Unless the client tells us otherwise, DroneVideos.com will continue with the scheduled ground photography so the project stays on track. If FAA approval is granted later, we will return to capture aerial photos up to the approved height.

Do ground photos still get delivered on time?

Yes. If ground photos are captured, they are professionally edited and delivered according to the original schedule, typically within 2 business days after the property is photographed.

If FAA approval is granted later, do you charge to return?

If the ground photos were completed and FAA approval is granted at a later date, DroneVideos.com will return to the property free of charge to capture aerial photos up to the FAA approved height.

Keep Your Property Photography Project Moving

FAA airspace restrictions do not have to stop your entire commercial real estate photography project. DroneVideos.com helps clients move forward with ground photography, submit the appropriate FAA airspace requests when needed, and return for aerial photos if approval is granted later. Quality remains our number one priority, and every shoot is completed in full compliance with the law.