Yes, it's legal to fly a drone in Washington State. Recreational pilots need the free TRUST certificate and FAA registration for drones of 250 g or more. Commercial pilots need a Part 107 certificate and must also register each drone with WSDOT every year. State parks allow drones only in designated areas or with a permit, and national parks ban them.
Do you need a drone license in Washington?
There's no state pilot license. FAA rules decide what you need:
- Recreational: pass the free TRUST test. Register with the FAA ($5, 3 years) if your drone weighs 250 g or more. See FAA registration.
- Commercial: a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and FAA registration.
- Airspace: Seattle-Tacoma is Class B, and Spokane is Class C. Boeing Field, Paine Field and military bases such as Joint Base Lewis-McChord add more controlled or restricted airspace. Get LAANC authorization where needed and stay at or below 400 ft.
Washington drone registration for commercial pilots
Since April 1, 2022, drones flown in Washington under Part 107 for compensation or as part of a business must be registered with the WSDOT Aviation Division. Registration is annual and currently costs $15 per drone. Hobby-only drones are exempt.
House Bill 2711, signed in 2026, raises the state aircraft registration fee to $30 and adds an excise tax for commercial drones starting January 1, 2027. Check WSDOT's page for the amount due when you renew.
Washington state drone laws
Washington has no drone-specific statute. General laws apply:
- Voyeurism (RCW 9A.44.115): filming someone where they expect privacy without consent can be a felony, whether by phone or drone.
- Recording conversations (RCW 9.73.030): Washington requires all-party consent to record private conversations. Turn off drone audio near people.
- Wildlife (WAC 220-413-070): you can't use a drone to spot or locate wildlife for hunting, or to pursue or harass wild animals and birds.
- State Capitol Campus: drones are prohibited on the Olympia campus without approval.
Where you can fly in Washington
- State parks: under WAC 352-32-130, drones may only fly in designated flying areas or with a permit from State Parks. Apply at least 60 days ahead. Commercial filming needs a separate permit.
- National parks: banned at Olympic, Mount Rainier and North Cascades, and other NPS sites. See Olympic National Park.
- National forests: generally allowed outside wilderness areas and TFRs. Much of the Cascades is wilderness.
- Cities and counties: Seattle bans drones in city parks except designated areas, and some counties limit park use. See drone laws in Seattle.
Wildfire TFRs are common east of the Cascades in summer. Never fly near a fire.
Before you fly in Washington
- Check airspace and TFRs in B4UFLY or Aloft.
- Confirm the landowner allows takeoff. Plan ahead for state parks.
- Register commercial drones with WSDOT.
- Carry your TRUST certificate or Part 107 card.
The DJI Mini 5 Pro and Mini 4 Pro weigh under 250 g, so recreational pilots don't need FAA registration. Commercial registration details are on the WSDOT drone page.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
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