South Carolina has no state drone license. Recreational pilots need the free FAA TRUST certificate and commercial pilots need a Part 107 certificate, plus FAA registration for drones of 250 g or more. Today the main state drone law bans flying within 500 ft of a state prison, state parks set drone rules park by park, and cities such as Charleston add their own limits. A broader state drone act signed in 2026 takes effect January 1, 2027.
Do you need a drone license in SC?
Not from the state. FAA rules apply:
- 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 and a registered drone.
- Airspace: Charleston and Columbia are Class C, and Myrtle Beach, Greenville-Spartanburg and Hilton Head have controlled airspace. Joint Base Charleston, Shaw, Beaufort and Parris Island add military airspace. Use LAANC and stay at or below 400 ft.
South Carolina state drone laws
- Prisons (S.C. Code 24-1-300): flying within 500 ft horizontally or 250 ft vertically of a Department of Corrections facility without written consent is a misdemeanor.
- Privacy (16-17-470): South Carolina's eavesdropping and peeping law covers secret observation with devices, which can include drone cameras.
- Feral hogs and coyotes: under SCDNR's Aerial Management Program, permit holders with landowner authorization can use drones to hunt feral hogs and coyotes. Using drones for other game isn't allowed.
Coming in 2027. House Bill 4679, the Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act, was signed in May 2026 as Act 150 and takes effect January 1, 2027. It widens the prison buffer to 1,500 ft, adds a 1,500 ft buffer around military installations, makes flying in controlled airspace without FAA authorization a state offense, and limits local drone ordinances while letting cities restrict takeoff and landing on their property.
Where you can fly in South Carolina
- State parks: rules are set park by park. Contact the park before you fly. Hunting Island State Park bans drones.
- National park units: banned at Congaree National Park, Fort Sumter and other NPS sites.
- Charleston: the city restricts drones near schools in session, hospitals, parks, crowds and events, and Charleston County Parks bans them. Folly Beach requires a permit.
- Hilton Head: private resort communities generally prohibit drones. See Hilton Head drone rules.
- Myrtle Beach: controlled airspace covers much of the Grand Strand. See drone laws in Myrtle Beach.
Before you fly in South Carolina
- Check airspace and TFRs in B4UFLY or Aloft.
- Stay well away from prisons and military bases.
- Call the park or city before launching on public land.
- Carry your TRUST certificate or Part 107 card.
Salt air and humidity are hard on motors, so wipe your drone down after beach flights. A sub-250 g drone like the DJI Mini 5 Pro or Mini 4 Pro needs no recreational registration. Read Act 150 (H. 4679) on the South Carolina Legislature site.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
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