The Complete NYC Drone Permit Compliance Checklist (2026)

The NYC drone permit has more moving parts than any other major U.S. city, and a single missing item can derail an application or a flight. This checklist consolidates everything from the application stack to the day-of routine, drawn directly from 38 RCNY Chapter 24 and the NYPD's official guidance.

Permit Basics

Pre-Application Documents

• FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) — for each operator and alternate
• FAA aircraft registration certificate — for each drone of 0.55 lb (250 g) or more
• Remote ID compliance confirmed (Standard Remote ID broadcasting)
• LAANC authorization screenshot OR FAA DroneZone authorization for the location and altitude
• Certificate of insurance: $2,000,000 per occurrence / $4,000,000 aggregate
• Workers' Compensation / Disability proof, or exemption attestation
• Data privacy policy (or description of practices)
• Cybersecurity policy (or description of practices)
• Government-issued photo ID — applicant and each operator
• Written safety plan prepared
• Community notice draft (if capturing still images, video, or audio)

Insurance Details to Verify

Insurance is the most common point of failure, so verify each element against 38 RCNY § 24-06:

• Both Commercial General Liability and Drone Aviation Liability/UAS coverage, written on an occurrence basis (not claims-made)
• Limits of $2M per occurrence and $4M aggregate, applicable exclusively to Chapter 24 operations
• The City of New York named as Additional Insured on a primary and non-contributory basis
• Each unmanned aircraft specifically described in the UAS coverage

Application Portal Sections

1. Applicant details (name, date of birth, address, contact, documents)
2. Proposed operator(s) (name, ID, Part 107 certificate for each)
3. Visual observer(s) (name, ID for each)
4. Drone details (make, model, serial number, FAA registration, weight)
5. Flight details (location, date/time, altitude, purpose)
6. Affirmation and submit
7. Payment ($150)

Parallel Requirements (If Applicable)

• Community board notification — sent no later than 48 hours before flight, if capturing imagery
• Physical notice posted within 100 feet of the take-off and landing site — 48 hours before (string or elastic bands on trees, never tape)
• MOME film permit — if commercial filming with equipment beyond hand-held gear

Day-of Checklist

• Log into the portal and confirm the permit is still approved
• Permit accessible (printed or on a device)
• FAA Part 107 certificate accessible
• FAA registration certificate accessible
• Insurance policy copies accessible
• Government-issued photo ID on person
• LAANC or DroneZone authorization active for the window
• Remote ID broadcasting
• Physical notice posted and community board notified (if capturing imagery)

Work through this checklist for every operation, not just the first. The portal status check immediately before take-off is essential, because a permit can be revoked at any time.