Applying for Multiple Locations on One NYC Drone Permit (2026)

Operators who need to fly at several spots around New York City often ask whether they need a separate permit for each location. The answer depends on how many distinct date/time/location combinations you have. A single application can bundle several flights — up to a defined limit. This guide explains how to use that allowance.

The 5-Combination Allowance

Under 38 RCNY § 24-03(d)(2), a single application may include up to 5 combinations of proposed dates, times, and locations. Each combination is a specific flight defined by where, when, and at what time it occurs. This lets you plan a multi-site project — for example, several different addresses on different days — within one application and one $150 fee.

When You Need Separate Applications

If your project requires more than 5 date/time/location combinations, you submit multiple applications, each covering up to 5 combinations. Every separate application carries its own $150 non-refundable fee. There is no published "blanket permit" or long-term recurring authorization — each application is tied to specific listed flights.

How Each Location Is Reviewed

Each combination is part of the coordinated NYPD and NYC DOT safety and site review. That review considers airspace safety, traffic impact, proximity to other permitted operations, critical infrastructure, and signal interference for each proposed site. NYC DOT formally designates each approved take-off or landing site. A problem at one location can affect that combination without necessarily voiding the others, but you should treat each site as if it must independently pass review.

Entering Multiple Flights in the Portal

In the Flight Details section, you click "Add Flight Details" for each proposed flight and enter its take-off and landing locations, dates and times, flight path, altitude (matching your LAANC/DroneZone authorization), and purpose. Repeat for each of your combinations up to the limit of 5. Remember that the permit authorizes only the exact locations, dates, and times you list — and that date changes after submission are generally not permitted, so include backup dates within the allowance from the start.

Planning Multi-Site Projects Efficiently

For multi-location work, group your flights into sets of five and confirm each site can pass the safety and airspace review. Maintain continuous $2M/$4M insurance that describes each aircraft, ensure airspace authorization for every site and altitude, and — if you qualify — use the 14-day repeat-applicant timeline for follow-on applications. This keeps a sprawling project organized while staying fully within the permit framework.