Aerial Imagery in Olympia, WA
Professional aerial photography and orthomosaic mapping. High-resolution geo-referenced imagery for real estate, marketing, and documentation.
Serving Thurston County & the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA Metro Area area
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Aerial Imagery Pricing in Olympia, WA
Low End
$150
High End
$1,500
Turnaround
1-3 business days
Cost ranges are based on market data for Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA Metro Area. Actual pricing depends on site size, complexity, and deliverables.
Common Aerial Imagery Applications in Olympia
- Real estate marketing imagery
- Event and venue photography
- Construction progress documentation
- Land parcel showcase imagery
Capturing Olympia from Above
Aerial imagery showcases Olympia's unique landscape and development:
The Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater metro area is the state capital region with a growing population of approximately 300,000 in the broader Thurston County area. While smaller than Seattle and Tacoma, the steady stream of state government construction projects and 2.5% annual population growth create consistent demand for aerial imaging services, particularly in topographic mapping and environmental monitoring.
Olympia's construction market is driven by $200 million in state Capitol Campus seismic upgrades and steady residential growth in Thurston County, with the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge adding environmental data collection demand.
Washington drone regulations require FAA Part 107 certification for all commercial drone operations. Our network of verified operators in Olympia meets all federal and state requirements.
Drone Regulations in Olympia, WA
Airports & LAANC Zones
- OLM (KOLM) — Olympia Regional Airport — Class D airspace — Located south of Olympia, general aviation airport with moderate traffic
- TCM (KTCM) — McChord Field/JBLM — Class D airspace — Located approximately 15 miles northeast of Olympia, military airspace affects approaches
- SEA (KSEA) — Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — Class B airspace — Approximately 50 miles north, Class B does not extend to Olympia but affects regional traffic patterns
- HQU (KHQU) — Hoquiam/Bowerman Airport — Class E airspace — Located west in Grays Harbor, uncontrolled airspace, minimal restrictions
Restricted Airspace
- Olympia Regional Airport (KOLM) Class D airspace covers southern Thurston County
- JBLM restricted airspace R-5701 and R-5703 extends into northern Thurston County near Olympia
- Mount Rainier National Park — drone flights prohibited under NPS regulations (36 CFR 1.5), approximately 60 miles east
- Olympic National Park — drone flights prohibited under NPS regulations (36 CFR 1.5), located approximately 50 miles northwest
- Capitol State Forest — Washington DNR managed land, drone regulations vary by area and seasonal restrictions
- Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge — drone flights prohibited under USFWS regulations (50 CFR 27.34)
Local Ordinances
Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 8.60 regulates the use of unmanned aircraft systems in the city. OMC 8.60.030 prohibits drone takeoff or landing in city parks without a special use permit from the Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation Department, with permit fees of $50 per application. Commercial drone operators must obtain a City of Olympia business license per OMC Title 5.12, with annual fees of $75. The city requires compliance with FAA Part 107 for all commercial UAS operations and has adopted Washington State's RCW 9A.46.120 regarding surveillance and privacy restrictions for drone use.
All drone operations in Olympia must comply with FAA Part 107 rules. Operators must obtain LAANC authorization before flying in controlled airspace near Olympia airports. Our network operators handle all permitting and airspace authorizations as part of their service.
Aerial Imagery FAQ — Olympia, WA
What resolution aerial imagery can I get in Olympia?
Our drones capture imagery at 1-5 cm ground sampling distance (GSD), meaning each pixel represents 1-5 cm on the ground. Higher resolution is available for smaller sites requiring detailed inspection.
What is an orthomosaic?
An orthomosaic is a geo-referenced aerial image created by stitching hundreds of individual photos into a single, seamless, map-accurate image. It corrects for lens distortion and terrain relief, producing a measurable, survey-grade image.
How quickly can aerial imagery be delivered in Olympia?
Standard aerial imagery projects in Olympia are delivered with 1-3 business days turnaround. Orthomosaics and geo-referenced products may take additional processing time depending on data requirements.
Drone Regulations FAQ — Olympia, WA
What airspace restrictions affect drone flights in Olympia?
Olympia Regional Airport (KOLM) has Class D airspace covering southern Thurston County, requiring LAANC authorization. JBLM restricted airspace extends into northern Thurston County. Additionally, the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge prohibits all drone flights under federal regulation 50 CFR 27.34.
Can I fly a drone over the Washington State Capitol Campus?
The Capitol Campus has security restrictions, and drone flights are generally prohibited without coordination with the Washington State Patrol and Department of Enterprise Services. While not a formal TFR, security concerns make unauthorized flights inadvisable. Contact the Washington State Patrol for authorization.
Do I need a permit to fly a drone in Olympia city parks?
Yes. Olympia Municipal Code 8.60.030 requires a special use permit from the Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation Department for drone takeoff or landing in city parks. The permit fee is $50 per application.
What are the most common aerial imaging applications in Olympia?
Topographic data collection projects for residential development in the growing West Olympia and Tumwater areas, environmental data collection projects for the Nisqually watershed and Capitol Forest, and construction progress monitoring for state government facility modernization projects are the primary use cases.
How do Olympia aerial imaging costs compare to Seattle?
Olympia's aerial imaging costs are approximately 10-20% lower than Seattle due to lower operating costs and less airspace complexity. Topographic data collection projects range from $200 to $2,000, and 3D scans from $700 to $5,000, still slightly above the national average.
All Aerial Imaging Services in Olympia, WA
Compare pricing across all aerial imaging services available in Olympia, Washington.
| Service | Low End | High End | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topographic Data Collection | $200 | $2,000 | 3-5 business days |
| Drone Inspection | $350 | $3,000 | 2-4 business days |
| LiDAR Scanning | $700 | $5,000 | 5-7 business days |
| Environmental Monitoring | $300 | $2,500 | 3-5 business days |
| Aerial Imagery ← you are here | $150 | $1,500 | 1-3 business days |
| Construction Monitoring | $250 | $1,500 | 1-3 business days |
| Real Estate Photography | $125 | $600 | 1-2 business days |
| Roof Inspection | $150 | $550 | 1-2 business days |
Pricing ranges are based on market data for Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA Metro Area. Actual costs depend on project scope, site conditions, and required deliverables.
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