No. The White House sits inside permanent prohibited airspace, the most restricted category in the US system, at the center of the Washington DC Flight Restricted Zone. Flying a drone there without specific federal authorization is illegal, and recreational flights are never approved. The surrounding National Mall and parks are National Park Service land, where drones are banned anyway.
The airspace around the White House
- Prohibited area: the airspace over the White House and nearby federal buildings, including the National Mall area, is a prohibited area. No aircraft may enter without authorization, and drones are not an exception.
- Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ): about 15 miles around Reagan National Airport. All of DC and nearby parts of Virginia and Maryland. Drones are prohibited without special FAA and TSA approval.
- Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA): about 30 miles out. The FAA's DC No Drone Zone page says recreational flights between 15 and 30 miles are allowed under 49 USC 44809 and the NOTAM, generally with the drone registered and marked (even under 250 g), below 400 ft, within sight, in clear weather and away from other aircraft. Inside 15 miles, flights need specific FAA authorization plus a TSA/FAA waiver.
Details are in drone laws in Washington, DC and the FAA's DC restrictions page.
What happens if you try
Federal agencies, including the Secret Service, actively monitor DC airspace. A drone near the White House draws an immediate response. Violations can bring FAA civil penalties, criminal charges, and seizure of the drone. In 2015 a small drone crashed on the White House grounds and led to a major investigation, and rules and enforcement have only tightened since.
Don't rely on an app warning or geofence to keep you legal. Staying out of this airspace is the pilot's responsibility.
What about commercial filming?
Only in rare cases. Part 107 operators and agencies with a real need can apply for a waiver and authorization through the FAA, with TSA involvement. Flights near the White House itself are not realistic for private operators.
Other DC landmarks
- The Capitol and the Naval Observatory are also in prohibited airspace.
- The National Mall, the monuments and Rock Creek Park are NPS land.
- Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon are inside the FRZ with their own security.
Where to fly instead
Look outside the 30-mile SFRA, such as western Loudoun County in Virginia or farther out in Maryland, and check each spot in B4UFLY or Aloft. See Virginia drone laws and Maryland drone laws. For aerial-style photos of DC, a ground-level telephoto from Arlington or the Mall is the legal route.
Before any flight in the region
- Pass the TRUST test.
- Register your drone at FAADroneZone if you plan to fly in the SFRA, and mark it with the registration number.
- Check B4UFLY or Aloft for your exact location.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
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