Michigan UAS Laws

 
 
 
Note on Federal vs State Laws:

Federal airspace laws take precedence over state drone laws. If a state or local law directly conflicts with FAA regulations, the state or local law is likely to be invalidated.

 

Definitions:

“Unmanned aircraft system” means an unmanned aircraft and all of the associated support equipment, control station, data links, telemetry, communications, navigation equipment, and other equipment necessary to operate the unmanned aircraft.

 

“Unmanned aircraft” means an aircraft flown by a remote pilot via a ground control system, or autonomously through use of an on-board computer, communication links, and any additional equipment that is necessary for the unmanned aircraft to operate safely.

 
 
Statutes/Bills:

Act 436 - Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act

Enacts a range of drone-related laws for the state of Michigan:

  • State preemption, banning cities and municipalities from enacting their own drone regulations or ordinances.
  • Confirms that drone operation in the state is legal as long as the operator is complying with FAA regulations.
  • An individual shall not knowingly and intentionally operate an unmanned aircraft system in a manner that interferes with the official duties of any of the following: police officer, firefighter, paramedic, search and rescue personnel.
  • Expands harassment, restraining order, and invasion of privacy laws to include activity conducted via a drone.
  • Places restrictions on drone usage by registered sex offenders.
  • Created an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Task Force to develop statewide policy recommendations on the operation, use, and regulation of unmanned aircraft systems in this state. 

Section 259.301

  

Short title.

Section 259.303

  

Definitions.

Section 259.305

  

Political subdivision; limitations; powers; federal preemption; conflict with other sections of law.

Section 259.307

  

Prohibited use of an unmanned aircraft system; exceptions; permit, license, order, or other decree; notice of state-owned or operated; consent; information exempt from freedom of information act; applicability.

Section 259.311

  

Operation of unmanned aircraft system; person authorized by Federal Aviation Administration.

Section 259.313

  

Operation of unmanned aircraft system; manner.

Section 259.320

  

Criminal liability; offense committed with aid of an unmanned aircraft system; exception.

Section 259.321

  

Operation of unmanned aircraft system; interference with official duties prohibited.

Section 259.322

  

Operation of unmanned aircraft system; harassment, violation of order, or invasion of privacy prohibited; definition; individual registered as sex offender.

Section 259.323

  

Violation as misdemeanor; penalty; other violation of law.

Section 259.330

  

Michigan aeronautics commission; duties; departmental support.

Section 259.331

  

Unmanned aircraft systems task force.

Act 451 - Hunting & Fishing Restrictions

Illegal to use drones to aid in hunting or fishing activity.

Act 451 - Hunting & Fishing Interference

Illegal to use drones to interfere with or disrupt lawful hunting or fishing activity.

 
   
Join our newsletter