Topographic Data Collection in Cody, WY
High-resolution terrain mapping using drone photogrammetry and LiDAR. Get contour maps, surface models, and volumetric calculations for construction, engineering, and land development.
Serving Park County & the Cody Micropolitan Statistical Area (Park County, northwest Wyoming) area
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Topographic Data Collection Pricing in Cody, WY
Low End
$750
High End
$3,000
Turnaround
3-7 days
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.
Common Topographic Data Collection Applications in Cody
- Site planning and feasibility studies
- Earthwork and cut/fill volume verification
- Pre-construction baseline data collection projects
- Drainage and grading design support
Construction & Development Projects
Topographic data collection projects are essential for site planning in Cody. Here's what's driving demand:
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.
Major Developers Active in the Area:
Wyoming drone regulations require FAA Part 107 certification for all commercial drone operations. Our network of verified operators in Cody meets all federal and state requirements.
Drone Regulations in Cody, WY
Airports & LAANC Zones
- 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)
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.
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.
All drone operations in Cody must comply with FAA Part 107 rules. Operators must obtain LAANC authorization before flying in controlled airspace near Cody airports. Our network operators handle all permitting and airspace authorizations as part of their service.
Topographic Data Collection FAQ — Cody, WY
How much does a drone topographic data collection cost in Cody?
Drone topographic data collection projects in Cody typically range from $750 to $3,000 with 3-7 days turnaround. Pricing depends on site size, terrain complexity, and required deliverables (contour interval, DEM, point cloud).
How accurate are drone topographic data collection projects?
With RTK/PPK GPS correction and ground control points, drone photogrammetry achieves 1-3 cm horizontal and 2-5 cm vertical accuracy. For higher precision, LiDAR scanning can deliver sub-centimeter results.
What deliverables do I receive?
Standard deliverables include a geo-referenced orthomosaic, digital elevation model (DEM), digital terrain model (DTM), contour lines, point cloud (LAS/LAZ), and a data collection report with accuracy metrics.
Drone Regulations FAQ — Cody, WY
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.
All Aerial Imaging Services in Cody, WY
Compare pricing across all aerial imaging services available in Cody, Wyoming.
| Service | Low End | High End | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topographic Data Collection ← you are here | $750 | $3,000 | 3-7 days |
| Drone Inspection | $300 | $1,250 | 2-5 days |
| LiDAR Scanning | $1,500 | $5,000 | 5-10 days |
| Environmental Monitoring | $450 | $1,800 | 3-7 days |
| Aerial Imagery | $250 | $900 | 1-3 days |
| Construction Monitoring | $300 | $1,050 | 2-5 days |
| Real Estate Photography | $150 | $480 | 1-2 days |
| Roof Inspection | $230 | $720 | 1-2 days |
Pricing ranges are based on market data for Cody Micropolitan Statistical Area (Park County, northwest Wyoming). Actual costs depend on project scope, site conditions, and required deliverables.
Topographic Data Collection in Nearby Cities
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