Aerial Imaging Services in Redmond, WA
The $1 billion Microsoft campus expansion (17 buildings, 2.5 million sq ft) is the largest private construction project in Washington state, driving a massive wave of supporting residential and commercial development in Redmond and the Overlake area.
With about 73,000 people in King County, Redmond is a community in the Seattle of Washington. Redmond sits on the Seattle Eastside as the home of Microsoft and one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the Pacific Northwest. The city is anchored by the Microsoft Redmond campus, which is undergoing a $1 billion expansion. The Sound Transit East Link light rail extension connects Redmond to Seattle and Bellevue, fueling transit-oriented development in downtown and Overlake. The Sammamish River Valley and surrounding forests create diverse terrain for aerial imaging work, while the SEA Class B airspace requires LAANC authorization for all commercial flights. The city has a strong residential market driven by tech-sector employment and excellent schools.
Serving King County & the Seattle area
Request a Free Quote
Find a King County Drone Pilot
Aerial Imaging Services Available in Redmond, WA
Redmond sits on the Seattle Eastside as the home of Microsoft and one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the Pacific Northwest. The city is anchored by the Microsoft Redmond campus, which is undergoing a $1 billion expansion. The Sound Transit East Link light rail extension connects Redmond to Seattle and Bellevue, fueling transit-oriented development in downtown and Overlake. The Sammamish River Valley and surrounding forests create diverse terrain for aerial imaging work, while the SEA Class B airspace requires LAANC authorization for all commercial flights. The city has a strong residential market driven by tech-sector employment and excellent schools.
Washington Aerial Imaging Cost Guide
Pricing below reflects the Seattle market. Site size, terrain, and the deliverables you need move the final number up or down.
| Service Type | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|
| Topographic Data Collection | $1,700 | $6,000 |
| Drone Inspection | $1,100 | $3,850 |
| LiDAR Scanning | $3,625 | $9,600 |
| Environmental Monitoring | $1,725 | $5,550 |
| Aerial Imagery | $575 | $2,300 |
| Construction Monitoring | $1,300 | $4,600 |
| Real Estate Photography | $425 | $1,600 |
| Roof Inspection | $475 | $1,700 |
Free cost calculator, ROI calculator, and 14-page buyer's guide. No signup required.
Are you a drone operator serving Redmond? List your business on AeriusView and get pre-qualified leads in your service area.
List Your Business →Airspace & Flying Rules in Redmond, WA
FAA Part 107 Requirements
Commercial flights over Redmond fall under FAA Part 107: the pilot must hold a current Remote Pilot Certificate. Network operators are checked before matching.
State Drone Laws
Drone rules in Redmond layer two ways: Redmond City Code requires a Special Use Permit for commercial drone operations taking off or landing on city-owned property including Marymoor Park and Farrel-McWhirter Park. plus Washington statewide UAS law (ESSB 6001 (2015); RCW 46.60.130; RCW 9A.44.115; RCW 47.68; WAC 352-32) governing commercial flights. Full Washington drone law →
Local Ordinances
Redmond City Code requires a Special Use Permit for commercial drone operations taking off or landing on city-owned property including Marymoor Park and Farrel-McWhirter Park. The permit costs $50 with a 7-day processing period through Redmond Parks and Recreation. Flights from private property require owner permission and FAA Part 107 compliance. Microsoft campus security zones may have additional restrictions enforced by private security. Washington ESSB 6001 governs law enforcement drone use. WSDOT permits required for drone inspections of state highways including SR 520.
Restricted Airspace
- Redmond falls within the SEA Class B outer shelf (10-20 NM ring). Commercial drone flights require LAANC authorization. Use Aloft or DroneUp apps for instant approval up to 400 ft AGL.
- Microsoft Redmond campus has security zones. Drone flights over or near Microsoft facilities may require coordination with corporate security. The campus spans over 500 acres and includes restricted areas.
- Redmond City Code requires a permit for commercial drone operations taking off or landing on city property including Marymoor Park, Farrel-McWhirter Park, and Anderson Park. Permit costs $50 with 7-day processing.
- Sammamish River Trail and Redmond Watershed Preserve are managed recreation areas. Drone takeoff and landing prohibited without permit. Seasonal wildlife restrictions may apply.
- The SR 520 corridor and upcoming Sound Transit light rail construction create infrastructure inspection zones requiring WSDOT coordination.
Airports in the area: SEA - Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Class B, 18 miles south, commercial), BFI - Boeing Field/King County International (Class D, 12 miles southwest, corporate), S50 - Issaquah (Class G, untowered, 5 miles south, general aviation)
Aerial Imaging Solutions for Redmond's Development Pipeline
Redmond is experiencing massive construction driven by the $1 billion Microsoft campus expansion, the largest private construction project in Washington state. The expanded campus will add 17 new buildings and 2.5 million square feet. Downtown Redmond is undergoing revitalization with mixed-use development along the Redmond Central Connector. The Sound Transit East Link light rail extension is under construction through downtown. Residential permitting exceeded 1,200 new units in 2023-2024, driven by Microsoft employees and tech-sector growth. The Overlake area near Microsoft is seeing dense residential and retail development.
Active Developers in the Area:
- Microsoft (campus expansion, $1 billion, 17 buildings, 2.5M sq ft)
- Snyder Development (downtown mixed-use and residential development)
- Vulcan Real Estate (Overlake transit-oriented development)
- Sullivan Real Estate Investment (Redmond Central Connector development)
- GGLO Architecture (residential and mixed-use design in Redmond)
Why Developers in Redmond Use Aerius View
FAA-Certified
Every operator holds an active Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
Local to Redmond
Local crews covering Redmond and 7 surrounding cities, already current on Washington airspace and LAANC workflows.
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 — typical for Seattle jobs.
AeriusView is expanding in Redmond, WA
We're onboarding Redmond operators to serve demand from Microsoft and other area projects. Your request gets matched to verified coverage in King County.
Request a QuoteYour Project Deliverables Explained
Every deliverable below ships with your Redmond project, formatted for the construction and engineering platforms used throughout the Seattle. Projects like those delivered for Microsoft across King County need data that drops straight into their workflow.
- Contour lines (DXF/DWG, CAD-ready) for Civil 3D and Revit
- Progress reports with side-by-side comparisons for construction monitoring
- 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
- Coordinate systems matched to your project datum — the Washington State Plane zone, UTM, or a local datum your surveyor specifies
Insurance & Liability Protection
Pilot Insurance Required
Every operator matched to a Redmond project carries active liability insurance — minimum $1,000,000 general liability, verified from the certificate before the pilot joins the network. Redmond City Code requires a Special Use Permit for commercial drone operations taking off or landing on city-owned property including Marymoor Park and Farrel-McWhirter Park. The permit costs $50 with a 7-day processing period through Redmond Parks and Recreation. Flights from private property require owner permission and FAA Part 107 compliance. Microsoft campus security zones may have additional restrictions enforced by private security. Washington ESSB 6001 governs law enforcement drone use. WSDOT permits required for drone inspections of state highways including SR 520.
FAA Part 107 Verified
Each pilot's Remote Pilot Certificate is checked against the FAA Airmen Inquiry before they can serve King County bookings. Expired certificates are flagged automatically.
Equipment Documentation
Pilots register their airframes and sensors (RGB, LiDAR, thermal, multispectral) so Redmond requests route to crews with the right payload for the job.
Site Safety Coordination
Pilots coordinate with your site superintendent for safe operations on active Redmond construction sites, including flight plans that avoid worker areas and equipment zones. Redmond City Code requires a Special Use Permit for commercial drone operations taking off or landing on city-owned property including Marymoor Park and Farrel-McWhirter Park. The permit costs $50 with a 7-day processing period through Redmond Parks and Recreation. Flights from private property require owner permission and FAA Part 107 compliance. Microsoft campus security zones may have additional restrictions enforced by private security. Washington ESSB 6001 governs law enforcement drone use. WSDOT permits required for drone inspections of state highways including SR 520.
Frequently Asked Questions — Redmond Aerial Imaging
Do I need LAANC authorization to fly a drone in Redmond?
Yes. Redmond falls within the SEA Class B outer shelf requiring LAANC authorization for all commercial drone flights. Use the Aloft or DroneUp LAANC apps to request instant approval up to 400 ft AGL.
What is driving the construction boom in Redmond?
The $1 billion Microsoft campus expansion is the largest private construction project in Washington state, adding 17 buildings and 2.5 million square feet. The Sound Transit East Link light rail extension and downtown mixed-use development are also major drivers. Over 1,200 new housing units were permitted in 2023-2024.
Can I fly a drone over the Microsoft campus?
Microsoft campus security zones may restrict drone operations. The 500-acre campus includes areas enforced by private security. While FAA Part 107 governs airspace, coordinate with Microsoft security before flying over or near campus facilities.
Can I fly a drone over Marymoor Park?
Not without a permit. Redmond City Code requires a Special Use Permit for drone takeoff and landing from city parks including Marymoor Park. The permit costs $50 with 7-day processing through Redmond Parks and Recreation.
How much does a drone 3D scanning cost in Redmond?
3D scanning pricing in Redmond ranges from $3,600 to $9,500, reflecting the premium Seattle Eastside market. Standard topographic data collection range from $1,700 to $6,000. Construction monitoring runs $1,300 to $4,600.
Aerial Imaging Terms for Redmond Projects
Understand what Redmond drone operators mean when they quote orthomosaics, point clouds, and more. Most Redmond projects in our cost table start around $425.
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.
Volumetrics
Cut/fill and stockpile volume calculations derived from terrain models.
Thermal Imaging
Infrared capture that reveals heat signatures for inspections.
Multispectral
Band-specific imagery used for vegetation and crop analysis.
Are You a Drone Operator in Redmond?
Construction and real-estate demand in Redmond grows every quarter. Get pre-qualified leads in your service area — first one free.
Ready to Start Your Project in Redmond, WA?
Free matching with FAA-verified pilots across King County and the Seattle. Projects in King County start around $425.
Request a Free QuoteAeriusView connects clients with FAA-certified drone operators. Services are not licensed land surveying. Deliverables are not authoritative for boundary determination, design, or legal purposes.