Aerial Imaging Services in Cody, WY
Cody valley aerial at golden hour showing the Buffalo Bill Reservoir gleaming in the afternoon sun, the Absaroka Range of the Shoshone National Forest rising sharply to the west, and the historic downtown district along the Shoshone River with new residential construction spreading toward Cedar Mountain.
Serving Park County & the Cody Micropolitan Statistical Area (Park County, northwest Wyoming) area
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Aerial Imaging Services Available in Cody, WY
Named for Buffalo Bill Cody and positioned at the head of the Yellowstone valley, this northwest Wyoming town of 10,200 residents blends tourism, retirees from the Pacific Northwest, and institutional building into a steady construction economy. Custom home construction in the mountain foothills and ongoing healthcare and civic building projects sustain demand for topographic data collection and construction monitoring. Shoshone National Forest immediately to the west requires USFS special use permits for commercial drone work, and Yellowstone National Park prohibits all UAS operations 40 miles west. The viable operating area is private land in and around the town and valley, but the high-altitude Class E airspace and straightforward flying conditions outside the federal land restrictions make Cody an accessible market for aerial mapping work.
Aerial Imaging for Cody's Construction Market
Cody anchors the northwest Wyoming construction market as the eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park and the commercial hub of Park County. The city is experiencing steady construction activity driven by tourism, retirement migration, and residential growth. The Cody Regional Hospital expansion includes a new emergency department and patient rooms, representing over $40 million in healthcare construction. Residential development is active in west Cody and the Cedar Mountain area, with new subdivisions and custom homes accommodating retirees relocating from the Pacific Northwest and tourists investing in second homes. The downtown historic district has seen multiple building renovations for tourism-related retail and hospitality, supported by the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West museum complex has ongoing facility renovation and expansion projects. Infrastructure projects include the Yellowstone Avenue reconstruction, the South Fork Road improvement, and ongoing WYDOT improvements to US-14/16/20 toward Yellowstone. The Cody County School District building program includes elementary school renovations and the new Cody High School athletic facility. The energy sector supports construction including natural gas pipeline infrastructure in the Bighorn Basin to the east. Tourism-related construction including hotels, lodges, and visitor facilities provides seasonal but significant demand for construction monitoring services.
Active Developers in the Area:
- Morrison-Maierle Construction (regional commercial and institutional, active on Cody Regional Hospital and school district projects)
- Adelsman Construction (Cody-based commercial and residential, active in downtown renovation and west Cody subdivisions)
- Nelson Construction (Cody-based custom home builder, active in Cedar Mountain and retirement community residential)
- Groathouse Construction (regional contractor, tourism and hospitality projects in the Cody area)
- Reiman Corp (regional heavy civil contractor, US-14/16/20 and South Fork Road infrastructure projects)
- Pfundt Construction (regional residential and commercial, active in tourism-related lodging and visitor facilities)
Typical Project Costs in Wyoming
Cost ranges are based on market data for Cody Micropolitan Statistical Area (Park County, northwest Wyoming). Actual pricing depends on site size, complexity, and deliverables.
| Service Type | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|
| Topographic Data Collection | $750 | $3,000 |
| Drone Inspection | $300 | $1,250 |
| LiDAR Scanning | $1,500 | $5,000 |
| Environmental Monitoring | $450 | $1,800 |
| Aerial Imagery | $250 | $900 |
| Construction Monitoring | $300 | $1,050 |
| Real Estate Photography | $150 | $480 |
| Roof Inspection | $230 | $720 |
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List Your Business →Local Airspace & Regulations in Cody, WY
FAA Part 107 Requirements
All commercial drone operations in Wyoming require the pilot to hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Our network operators are verified Part 107 holders.
State Drone Laws
Wyoming does not have comprehensive state-level drone legislation. Commercial drone operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and comply with all federal regulations. Wyoming Statutes § 31-1-101(a)(vi) defines aircraft as including unmanned aircraft, subjecting them to state aviation regulations where applicable, but the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission defers to FAA authority for commercial drone operations under Part 107. No state-level drone registration or permitting requirement exists beyond FAA registration. The Wyoming Legislature has considered privacy-related drone bills but none have been enacted into law. Local municipalities may regulate takeoff and landing on public property. Wyoming State Parks require permits for commercial drone operations. Operators should check for local city and county ordinances regarding park usage and public property restrictions.
Local Ordinances
Cody does not have a comprehensive city-specific drone ordinance, relying on FAA Part 107 regulations and Wyoming state law. Commercial drone operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The Cody Parks and Recreation Department requires authorization for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned park property, including City Park, Paul Stock Nature Trail, and the Cody Recreation Complex. Operations near Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) do not require LAANC authorization since it is Class E with no control tower, but operators should monitor CTAF and remain clear of the traffic pattern. Yellowstone National Park, 40 miles west, prohibits all drone operations under NPS regulations. Shoshone National Forest requires a special use permit for commercial drone operations on forest lands. Buffalo Bill State Park requires permits from Wyoming State Parks for commercial drone use.
Restricted Airspace
- Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) operates as a Class E surface area with no control tower, meaning commercial drone operators do not need LAANC authorization for the surface area. However, operators must comply with all FAA Part 107 regulations and should monitor CTAF frequency 122.8 and remain clear of the airport traffic pattern. The airport is located just 2 miles southeast of downtown Cody at 5,104 feet elevation, and the high altitude reduces drone battery life by approximately 15-18 percent. The airport handles seasonal commercial flights with Delta Connection and United Express, general aviation, and medevac helicopter operations.
- Yellowstone National Park, located 52 miles west of Cody via the Buffalo Bill Cody Highway (US-14/16/20), prohibits all drone operations under 36 CFR 1.5 and NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05. This is a total ban on both commercial and recreational drone use within all National Park Service lands, with no permits available for commercial data collection work. The east entrance to Yellowstone is accessed from Cody, and the park boundary begins approximately 40 miles west of town. Operators conducting any drone work west of Cody toward Yellowstone must verify they are outside the NPS boundary before flying. The ban also covers the connecting road corridors within the park.
- Shoshone National Forest lies west and south of Cody in the Absaroka Range and Washakie Wilderness areas. Commercial drone operations on National Forest lands — including mapping, aerial imaging, real estate photography, or any revenue-generating aerial work — require a special use permit from the Shoshone National Forest ranger district office in Cody. The forest includes the North Absaroka Wilderness, Washakie Wilderness, and extensive backcountry areas popular for hunting, fishing, and backcountry recreation. Recreational drone use under FAA TRUST does not require a Forest Service permit but must follow all FAA Part 107 recreational guidelines.
- Buffalo Bill State Park and Buffalo Bill Reservoir, located 6 miles west of Cody, is a Wyoming State Park where commercial drone operations require a permit from the Wyoming Division of State Parks and Historic Sites. The reservoir is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and water recreation, and FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over non-participants including boaters and anglers. The park encompasses the reservoir shoreline and surrounding lands managed by the state, and commercial aerial photography or data collection work requires prior coordination with the park manager.
- The Cody area includes portions of the Shoshone River corridor with city parks and greenbelt trails. Commercial drone takeoff and landing on city-owned park property requires authorization from the Cody Parks and Recreation Department. The Paul Stock Nature Trail along the Shoshone River is a popular recreational area, and FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over non-participants including trail users and fishermen. The Buffalo Bill Dam and the Shoshone Hydroelectric Plant are critical infrastructure facilities where drone operations may be restricted, and operators should check NOTAMs for any active TFRs covering critical infrastructure.
Airports in the area: COD — Yellowstone Regional Airport (KCOD, Class E surface area, no control tower, commercial service with Delta and United seasonal, located 2 miles southeast of downtown Cody at 5,104 feet elevation), WYS — West Yellowstone Airport (Class E, 110 miles north in Montana, seasonal commercial, reference for Greater Yellowstone ecosystem operators), JAC — Jackson Hole Airport (Class D, 165 miles south, controlled tower, reference for cross-state operators requiring LAANC-authorized airspace), BIL — Billings Logan International Airport (Class C, 110 miles northeast in Montana, controlled tower, reference for regional operators from the Billings metro area)
Why Hire Through Aerius View in Cody, WY?
FAA-Certified
Every operator holds an active Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
Local to Cody
Operators who know the Wyoming airspace and local permitting.
No Cost to Quote
Submit your project at no charge. Pay the operator directly if you proceed.
Fast Turnaround
A local operator contacts you within 2 business days.
AeriusView is expanding in cody, WY
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Request a QuoteWhat Deliverables Do You Get?
Every project includes professional-grade deliverables compatible with standard construction and engineering software:
- Orthomosaic maps (GeoTIFF) for site overview and documentation
- Point clouds (LAS/LAZ) for 3D modeling and volumetric analysis
- DEM/DSM terrain models for cut/fill and grade analysis
- Contour lines (DXF/DWG, CAD-ready) for Civil 3D and Revit
- Progress reports with side-by-side comparisons for construction monitoring
- Coordinate systems matched to your project datum (State Plane, UTM, or local)
Insurance & Liability Protection
Pilot Insurance Required
Every operator in our network must carry active liability insurance. Minimum coverage: $1,000,000 general liability. Proof of insurance is verified before any pilot joins the network.
FAA Part 107 Verified
We confirm each pilot's Remote Pilot Certificate is active and in good standing through the FAA Airmen Inquiry system. Expired certificates are flagged automatically.
Equipment Documentation
Pilots list their drone models, sensors (RGB, LiDAR, thermal, multispectral), and payload specs so we can match the right equipment to your project requirements.
Site Safety Coordination
Pilots coordinate with your site superintendent for safe operations on active construction sites, including flight plans that avoid worker areas and equipment zones.
Cody, WY Aerial Imaging FAQs
Do I need LAANC authorization for drone flights in Cody?
No, Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) operates as a Class E surface area with no control tower, so LAANC authorization is not required for commercial drone operations in the Cody area. However, operators must still comply with all FAA Part 107 regulations including maximum altitude of 400 feet AGL, visual line of sight, and right-of-way rules. The airport is located just 2 miles southeast of downtown Cody at 5,104 feet elevation, and the high altitude reduces drone battery life by approximately 15-18 percent. Operators should monitor CTAF frequency 122.8 and remain clear of the airport traffic pattern. Always check for NOTAMs and TFRs via the FAA B4UFLY app before flying.
Can I fly a drone in Yellowstone National Park from Cody?
No. Yellowstone National Park, located 40 miles west of Cody via the Buffalo Bill Cody Highway, prohibits all drone operations under 36 CFR 1.5 and NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05. This is a total ban on both commercial and recreational drone use within all National Park Service lands, with no permits available for commercial data collection work. The east entrance to Yellowstone is accessed from Cody, and the park boundary extends east toward the Shoshone National Forest boundary. Operators conducting any drone work west of Cody toward Yellowstone must verify they are outside the NPS boundary before flying. The ban also covers Grand Teton National Park and all NPS-administered lands in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
What is the cost of an aerial imaging for a construction site in Cody?
Topographic drone data collection in Cody typically ranges from $750 to $3,000 depending on acreage and terrain complexity. The valley floor terrain along the Shoshone River is moderate, but foothills areas near Cedar Mountain and the Absaroka Range add significant terrain variation. Construction monitoring visits cost $300 to $1,050 per session. LiDAR scanning runs $1,500 to $5,000, with the Cody Regional Hospital expansion and residential development in west Cody driving demand for high-precision 3D mapping. Tourism-related construction including lodges and visitor facilities provides seasonal demand for construction monitoring and aerial photography services.
Can I fly a drone at Buffalo Bill State Park and Reservoir near Cody?
Buffalo Bill State Park and Buffalo Bill Reservoir, located 6 miles west of Cody, is a Wyoming State Park where commercial drone operations require a permit from the Wyoming Division of State Parks and Historic Sites. The reservoir is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and water recreation, and FAA Part 107 prohibits flying directly over non-participants including boaters and anglers. Recreational drone use under the FAA TRUST rule is permitted without a park permit, but commercial operators must obtain park permits before conducting aerial mapping or photography work. Contact the Buffalo Bill State Park office for commercial drone permit applications and operational guidelines.
Are there drone restrictions in the Shoshone National Forest near Cody?
Yes. Shoshone National Forest lies west and south of Cody in the Absaroka Range, covering over 2.4 million acres as the first national forest established in the United States. Commercial drone operations on National Forest lands — including mapping, aerial imaging, real estate photography, or any revenue-generating aerial work — require a special use permit from the Shoshone National Forest ranger district office in Cody. The forest includes the North Absaroka Wilderness, Washakie Wilderness, and extensive backcountry areas popular for hunting, fishing, and backcountry recreation. Recreational drone use under FAA TRUST does not require a USFS permit. Contact the Cody Ranger District office for commercial special use permit applications.
How does Cody compare to Jackson for commercial drone operations?
Cody and Jackson are both northwest Wyoming cities near Yellowstone National Park, but their operating environments differ. Jackson sits inside the Jackson Hole valley with the Teton Range immediately to the west, while Cody sits on the Shoshone River valley east of Yellowstone with the Absaroka Range to the west. Both cities are affected by the NPS drone ban in Yellowstone and require USFS permits for forest lands. Cody has Class E airspace at 5,104 feet with no LAANC requirement, while Jackson has Class D airspace at JAC requiring LAANC. Jackson has a much higher-value luxury residential construction market with median home prices exceeding $3 million, while Cody skews toward retirement, tourism, and healthcare construction. Both markets offer good opportunities but Cody has lower entry barriers for new operators due to the simpler airspace and lower cost of living.
Key Aerial Imaging Terms
New to aerial imaging? These essential terms will help you understand your project deliverables.
Ground Sample Distance
The spatial resolution of drone imagery, measured in cm/pixel.
Orthomosaic
A geometrically corrected aerial photo map stitched from many images.
Point Cloud
A 3D dataset of points representing the captured surface.
Real-Time Kinematic
RTK GPS correction for centimeter-level positional accuracy.
LiDAR
Laser scanning that captures terrain through vegetation.
Digital Elevation Model
A 3D representation of terrain elevation across the site.
Ground Control Point
Known reference markers used to anchor and validate mapping accuracy.
Aerial Mapping
Data collection from above to map and measure a site.
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