Aerial Imaging Services in Rochester, NY

FAA Part 107 Requirements

All commercial drone operations in New York require the pilot to hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Our network operators are verified Part 107 holders.

State Drone Laws

New York regulates drone operations through a combination of criminal surveillance statutes, state park rules, and local ordinances. New York Penal Law 250.55 (amended 2023) classifies unlawful surveillance conducted via unmanned aerial vehicle as a Class E felony, prohibiting the use of drones to capture images of individuals in private settings without consent. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation requires a commercial use permit under 9 NYCRR 375.1 for drone operations in all state parks and historic sites. New York does not require a separate state-level commercial drone license or registration, but all commercial operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and register their aircraft with the FAA. New York City has additional local restrictions — Local Law 152 of 2024 requires permits for commercial drone filming on city property and within certain NYC parks. Westchester County parks require a permit from the Westchester County Parks Department. The state does not broadly preempt local municipalities, meaning individual cities and towns may enact their own drone ordinances governing takeoff, landing, and operation on public property. Commercial operators near military installations (West Point Military Reservation, Watervliet Arsenal, Stewart Air National Guard Base) must coordinate with base operations and check NOTAMs. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL and LAANC authorization is available for Class B and C airspace across the NYC metro region.

Local Ordinances

Rochester is governed by New York state drone law (NY Penal Law 250.55) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The City of Rochester requires a permit for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city property, issued through the Rochester Department of Parks and Recreation. City parks including Highland Park, Genesee Valley Park, Maplewood Park, and Seneca Park require explicit permission for commercial drone operations. The Rochester Preservation Board must approve commercial drone filming of designated historic landmarks including the Susan B. Anthony House, the Eastman Museum, and historic High Falls industrial buildings. Monroe County parks (including Ontario Beach Park, Cobb Hill, and the Genesee Valley Greenway) require a commercial use permit from the Monroe County Parks Department. Commercial drone filming for movies, TV, or advertising requires a film permit from the Rochester/Finger Lakes Film Office. New York State parks require a permit under 9 NYCRR 375.1. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has additional review requirements for filming historic canal structures. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within ROC Class C airspace boundaries, which covers most of the Rochester metro area.

Restricted Airspace

• Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) has Class C airspace with a 5 NM radius surface area and outer shelf extending to 10 NM. The Class C covers most of Rochester, Brighton, Gates, Greece, and Henrietta. Commercial drone operations within the ROC Class C lateral boundaries require LAANC authorization. ROC is the primary commercial airport for the Finger Lakes region with significant passenger, cargo, and corporate aviation traffic. The airport is located within Rochester city limits, meaning many downtown and suburban drone operations fall within Class C boundaries.
• Lake Ontario shoreline north of Rochester has moderate military and Coast Guard helicopter traffic. The Air National Guard 174th Attack Wing, based at Hancock Field in Syracuse, occasionally operates training missions over Lake Ontario and the Rochester region. Drone operators flying near the Lake Ontario waterfront (Charlotte neighborhood, Irondequoit Bay, and Durand-Eastman Park) should maintain situational awareness of low-altitude military helicopter traffic.
• The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor runs through Rochester along the Genesee River and historic canal paths. While the corridor itself does not impose flight restrictions, commercial drone filming of Erie Canal historic structures and the Genesee River waterfall system (including High Falls and the Genesee River gorge) may require coordination with the New York State Office of Parks and the Rochester Preservation Board. The Erie Canal and Genesee River are managed by multiple agencies including the NYS Canal Corporation and the City of Rochester.
• The University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) campuses have restricted drone policies. The University of Rochester operates an FAA-approved drone research program and has designated flight areas. Commercial operators conducting aerial imaging projects on or near campus property should coordinate with campus security and the institution's drone program managers. RIT also operates drone research facilities and has specific campus drone policies.
• The Seneca Park Zoo and the Monroe County Parks System (including Highland Park, Cobb Hill, and Ontario Beach Park) require authorization from the Monroe County Parks Department for commercial drone takeoff and landing. The Genesee Valley Greenway and the Genesee River gorge within Rochester are managed by multiple agencies and may require coordination for drone filming of the waterfalls and gorge landscape.