Before every flight, check the airspace. In the US you can't fly, or need permission first, near airports in controlled airspace, inside temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) such as wildfires and VIP visits, near large stadiums during major games, around Washington, DC, over designated military and security-sensitive sites, and in national parks. B4UFLY or an FAA-approved app such as Aloft shows most of these for any spot.
The main no-fly and permission zones
| Zone | Rule | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Controlled airspace near airports (Class B, C, D, surface E) | Authorization needed | Request LAANC, usually approved in seconds |
| Temporary flight restrictions | Off-limits while active | Check on the day you fly |
| Wildfires | Never fly near one | Firefighting aircraft stop when a drone appears |
| Large stadiums during major events | No flights within 3 NM, up to 3,000 ft | Avoid game times |
| Washington, DC Flight Restricted Zone | No drones without FAA and TSA approval | Fly 15+ miles out |
| Security-sensitive sites | No flights from ground to 400 ft | Check the map |
| National parks | Banned without a permit | Fly on nearby forest or BLM land |
| Disney World and Disneyland | Permanent 3 NM restriction | Don't fly |
Airports
There's no fixed mile rule. Busy airports sit inside controlled airspace, and the FAA's UAS Facility Maps split it into grid squares with altitude caps: 0 ft beside runways, then 50 to 400 ft farther out. Recreational and Part 107 pilots both need authorization, usually through LAANC. Small uncontrolled airports don't need authorization, but give way to all aircraft. See can you fly a drone near an airport.
Temporary flight restrictions
TFRs can appear with little notice for:
- Wildfires and other disasters
- VIP movements, such as presidential visits
- Space launches and air shows
- Rescue and law enforcement operations
Never fly near a wildfire, TFR or not. A drone can ground air tankers and helicopters, and the Forest Service reports unauthorized flights to the FAA and law enforcement.
Stadiums
A standing FAA restriction bans drones at or below 3,000 ft within 3 nautical miles of stadiums with 30,000 or more seats, from one hour before to one hour after major events such as MLB, NFL and NCAA Division I football games and major motor speedway races. Some states add their own stadium laws.
Washington, DC
The Flight Restricted Zone covers about 15 miles around Reagan National Airport, including all of DC. Drones are prohibited there without special FAA and TSA approval. From 15 to 30 miles out, the Special Flight Rules Area allows recreational flying with conditions. See drone laws in Washington, DC.
Security-sensitive sites and infrastructure
The FAA prohibits drone flights from the ground up to 400 ft over designated national security sensitive facilities, including many military bases and landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Hoover Dam and Mount Rushmore. Many states add laws on prisons, power plants and other critical infrastructure. See drone laws by state.
Land-based bans
Some bans come from who manages the ground, not the airspace:
- National parks: no launching, landing or operating. Details
- Wilderness areas: no takeoff or landing.
- State and city parks: rules vary. State parks
How to check any spot
- Open B4UFLY or Aloft at the exact launch point. Check the airspace class, LAANC grid altitude and any TFRs.
- Check the land rules for the park, beach or property.
- Check DJI Fly. DJI's GEO zone map shows airports and restricted areas. Since January 2025, most US zones show warnings rather than hard locks, but DJI still enforces some regulatory restricted zones. A DJI warning is not FAA authorization.
- Check again on the day. TFRs pop up fast.
Common mistakes
- Treating a DJI unlock or warning as FAA permission
- Checking the map the night before, then missing a morning TFR
- Assuming small drones are exempt. No-fly zones apply to every drone, including sub-250 g models.
- Flying near a stadium on game day
- Launching from a national park parking lot
Quick answers
What app shows drone no-fly zones? B4UFLY and FAA-approved apps such as Aloft.
Can I fly over my own house near an airport? Only with authorization if it's in controlled airspace.
What happens if I fly in a no-fly zone? You can face FAA civil penalties, and some areas carry criminal penalties.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. See the FAA's B4UFLY page for the official map service.
Flying near cities and airports often? The Mini 4 Pro supports DJI's geo-zone warnings and needs no registration for recreational use, but airspace rules still apply.
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