The NYPD Drone Permit Online Portal Explained (2026)
Quick Answer: The NYPD operates its drone permit portal at dronepermits.nypdonline.org (reachable via NYC.gov/DronePermits), launched July 21, 2023. After creating an account, your dashboard shows Applications in Draft, Submitted Applications, Begin an Appeal, and Appeals in Progress. Printable permits appear within 48 hours of your first flight, and you must confirm approved status before every take-off.
On July 21, 2023, the NYPD launched its Unmanned Aircraft (UA) Take-off/Landing Permit Application Portal — the first lawful pathway for the general public to operate drones across all five boroughs. Every application, status check, permit, and appeal flows through this single web interface. This guide explains how the portal is organized so you can move through it confidently.
Accessing the Portal
The portal lives at dronepermits.nypdonline.org. You can also reach it through the friendlier redirect at NYC.gov/DronePermits. The NYPD administers the portal and reviews each application in coordination with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), which formally designates each approved take-off or landing site.
Creating Your Account
Account creation is a one-time setup. Click "Sign up now," enter a valid email, and request a verification code that is emailed to you. Enter the code, supply your first and last names, and set a password of 8–64 characters containing at least three of: a lowercase letter, an uppercase letter, a digit, and a symbol. After clicking "Create" and "Continue," you reach your Profile Page.
Keep your profile current. Reviewers use the contact details there to reach you if your application needs correction, so an out-of-date email or phone number can cost you a flight date.
The Dashboard Sections
| Section | What It Holds |
|---|---|
| My Applications in Draft | Applications you have started but not yet submitted. You can return and finish them. |
| My Submitted Applications | Completed applications with reference numbers and status. This is where you track review progress. |
| Begin an Appeal | Where a disapproved application moves so you can challenge the decision. |
| Appeals in Progress | Appeals you have already filed. |
To start a new application, click the blue "Create" button at the top right, then "Begin." The application then opens into its sequential sections: Applicant Details, Proposed Operators, Visual Observers, Drone Details, Flight Details, Affirmation, and Payment.
Uploading Documents
The portal accepts uploads in several sections. Plan to attach photo IDs, FAA Remote Pilot Certificates, FAA registration certificates, the insurance certificate and policies, your data privacy and cybersecurity policies, and a proposed community notice if your operation will capture images, video, or audio. The portal also offers templates — including a community notice template — on its forms pages.
Tracking Status and Receiving Your Permit
After submission you receive an automated confirmation email with an invoice for the $150 fee. The application then appears under "My Submitted Applications." Printable permits become available within 48 hours of the first proposed flight on an approved application, and the NYPD also emails a notification. Permits are delivered electronically — there is no paper permit mailed to you.
The Pre-Flight Status Check
One portal habit matters more than any other: log in to confirm your permit is still approved immediately before every take-off. Permits can be revoked at any time — including during emergency situations or on the spot for improper use. Checking status takes seconds and is the operator's responsibility under the NYPD User Guide. For support, edits, or appeals, the NYPD's published channel is DronePermits@nypd.org.
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