As you may know, I'm an adventure photographer and do a fair amount of drone photography. Like the shot below taken over Crested Butte during a fall snowstorm.
So can I fly my drone anywhere I like? Over your house for example? We'll let's start off with a few basics.
I can't fly in a National Park or into restricted air space like near or over an airport.
How about over your backyard?
First of all you own the airspace over your residence, however, you provide an easement for aircraft to enter that space. A drone qualifies as an aircraft. The Federal Gov has jurisdiction over this, not your local municipality.
So I can fly over your house (providing I'm not violating any FAA rules). However, I can't surveil you or interfere with your enjoyment of your property. Ex. I start flying frequently over your place and buzz your dogs causing them to develop PTSD.
Is there a set minimum flying height? No.
Can the local police hassle you because they don't understand federal law? You can't count on it...haha.
Your town can however limit where you takeoff and land your drone.
Can you shoot at my drone or throw a rock at it if it's in violation of the FAA rules or surveilling you? Sure...but it's a federal offense. Yup, you heard that right! Don't ever shoot at a drone...unless you're sure you won't get caught. If you do get caught it's very bad! You're better off calling the authorities.
So how do I operate in the real world?
I don't take off or land where I will disturb anybody. It's easy to walk a few blocks away and get the drone high enough so it's not visible and can't be heard.
Forgetting the law, I try to make sure I don't piss anybody off. So far I've been pretty successful at that. That's a blatant lie, I do piss off most people, just not with my drone flying.
The video below has more details if you're interested.
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