You can fly a drone in Oregon with the free TRUST certificate for recreational use or a Part 107 certificate for paid work. Oregon's drone statutes (ORS chapter 837) ban flying under 400 ft over critical infrastructure and harassing people on private property, and the state parks department is limiting drone takeoff and landing in state parks and on the ocean shore to designated areas.
Do you need a drone license in Oregon?
Oregon has no state drone license or registration. You follow FAA rules:
- Recreational: pass the free TRUST test. Register with the FAA ($5, 3 years) if your drone weighs 250 g or more.
- Commercial: a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for any business flight, plus FAA registration.
- Airspace: Portland International is Class C, and Eugene, Salem and Medford have controlled airspace too. Get LAANC authorization in controlled airspace and stay at or below 400 ft.
Oregon state drone laws
- Critical infrastructure (ORS 837.372): you can't fly at 400 ft or lower over a fenced or posted critical infrastructure facility, or let a drone touch it. That includes refineries, power plants and substations, water plants, rail yards, ports, high hazard dams, and prisons and police facilities. Exceptions include the owner's consent and commercial flights under FAA authorization.
- Aircraft and emergencies (ORS 837.374): recklessly crashing into an aircraft, blocking a takeoff or landing, or interfering with wildfire, police or emergency work is a violation. Doing it knowingly is a misdemeanor.
- Private property (ORS 837.370 and 837.380): flying over private land to harass or annoy the owner is an offense. After an owner tells you not to fly over their property, they can sue if you do it again.
- Weaponized drones (ORS 837.365): prohibited.
- Wildlife (ORS 498.128): no drones to hunt, fish or trap, or to locate or harass wildlife for those purposes. You also can't use one to interfere with people who are lawfully hunting or fishing.
Preemption. Under ORS 837.385, only the Legislature can regulate drone operation. Cities can still prohibit or regulate takeoff and landing in parks they own (ORS 837.387). Portland, for example, restricts drones in city parks.
Where you can fly in Oregon
- State parks and the ocean shore: since May 1, 2026, Oregon state parks and the ocean shore are closed to drone takeoff and landing except at designated UAS operation areas or with a permit. A first list of about 20 open park properties came out in August 2026, so check OPRD's drone page before you go. More in Oregon state parks.
- National parks: banned at Crater Lake and other NPS sites.
- National forests and BLM land: generally allowed outside wilderness areas and TFRs. Much of Mount Hood, the Three Sisters and the Wallowas is wilderness.
- Metro regional parks: Portland-area Metro parks ban drones.
Wildfire TFRs are common from July through October. If an air tanker or helicopter is nearby, land.
Before you fly in Oregon
- Check airspace and TFRs in B4UFLY or Aloft.
- Confirm the beach or park has a designated takeoff area.
- Give nesting seabirds, sea lions and seals plenty of room.
- Carry your TRUST certificate or Part 107 card.
Coastal wind is strong and constant, so watch battery levels on the return leg. A sub-250 g drone like the DJI Mini 4 Pro or Mini 5 Pro needs no recreational registration. OPRD's current rule is on the Oregon State Parks rulemaking page.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
Related guides
Not sure which to pick?
Tell us what you'll fly and your budget. One of our drone pilots will reply with a recommendation.
Buying drones for a business, agency or store? Get wholesale pricing →
