Drone · Michigan
Drone Laws for Real Estate in Michigan (2026)
Flying a drone to market a listing in Michigan is a commercial operation. Here’s the federal Part 107 baseline plus the Michigan-specific rules that trip agents up.
Part 107 required — this is a commercial operation
Marketing a listing furthers your business, so the FAA classifies the flight as commercial even if nobody pays you for it. You need the Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
- ✓Get the Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (~$175 knowledge test)
- ✓Register the drone under Part 107 — any weight, even sub-250g ($5)
- ✓Confirm Remote ID compliance (standard on current DJI models)
- ✓Check airspace + get LAANC authorization if controlled
- ✓Fly under 400ft, visual line of sight, never over uninvolved people
- ✓Consider liability insurance (on-demand per-flight coverage exists)
Michigan-specific rules
No real-estate-specific state drone statute — the FAA governs the flight itself. Expect city/county rules about taking off or landing in public parks, and get permission for private takeoff spots.
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Do I need a license to fly a drone for real estate in Michigan?
Yes. Marketing a listing is a commercial operation, so the FAA requires the Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate — the same nationwide. Michigan then adds its own privacy, trespass, or takeoff rules on top of the federal baseline.
Is Part 107 different in Michigan?
No — Part 107 is federal and identical in every state. What changes in Michigan is the state/local layer: privacy statutes, park takeoff permits, and any state registration. This page covers both.
Can I fly over my neighbor's property to photograph a listing in Michigan?
Keep the camera on the property you're hired on. Several states treat repeated low flights or capturing people on adjacent private property as actionable — frame neighbor-facing shots high and wide.
Fly it legally — and make it cinematic
7 Day Drone Mastery gets you Part 107-ready and teaches the exact shots that make Michigan listings look top-tier.
This is marketing-grade guidance, not legal advice — drone rules change and local ordinances vary. Confirm current FAA and Michigan rules before you fly.