Don't try and tell me this is legal...

[SMSgt]

Overflying private property is not illegal, it's public airspace. To hover and peer into windows can certainly be deemed illegal.

 

[SMSgt]

Roofers descending like locusts on storm damaged areas...I recall reading that as being a big driver behind Florida's home insurance crisis

Much of the increase in FL homeowners' insurance rate is driven by the insurance industry itself. Roof replacement is driven by insurance-established age limits. Perfectly good roofs are being rejected by insurance companies based solely on age rather than condition. That, in itself, promotes the roof inspector scams by creating a market.

 

[coltle6920]

Go to the FAA website and look up "drones".

I've done my research. You have failed to back up your statement with anything that offers a cogent argument.

Bottom line... If you knowingly park your recreational drone over my property without my consent I guarantee that between the FAA, local laws/ordnances and constitutional interpretation I have more rights than you do.

 

[coltle6920]

Thread title suggests OP has his mind made up and won't entertain an opposing viewpoint. Why bother responding?

And yet you chose to respond.

Nobody has proven to me that you can do whatever you want with your toy contrary to my rights as a private citizen.

 

[coltle6920]

Quote us a law that says they can't.

Generally if there is no law to prevent something then it is legal.

And I doubt there is a specific law saying it's illegal for me to enter your house if the front door is wide open but I'm sure you would take issue with it.

We certainly don't need laws to tell us if something is right or wrong.

 

[326MOD10]

The info in the link of Post 17 list restrictions in Colorado. There aren't many but there are a couple communities listed that are no fly zones.

Colorado appears to defer to the FAA rules and commercial use is okay.

They wouldn't be conducting surveillance of a person when doing a roof check for commercial purposes so from what I read doesn't appear illegal.

Let me know if you find something specific outlawing the commercial use to check the roof.

Should be easy to find since you have done your research and posted a question you have already found the answer to.

 

[lkabug]

Under Virginia law, intentionally operating a drone in ways that infringe on another person's property and privacy is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This includes flying a drone within 50 feet of a dwelling without consent.

 

[coltle6920]

My next door neighbor has a extreme ADT system with cameras on all 4 corners of her house, and one over the garage door. They all have motion spot lights too. Two of those cameras face my house. I seriously doubt there are any laws that would make her remove them.

If you suspect that your neighbor's cameras are watching more than they are intended to watch you can call law enforcement. The neighbor will then be told to redirect the cameras or move them if they infringe on your privacy. IMO that would include the aiming of the spotlights.

 

[starlord]

dont think someone doing something illegal will leave you a voice message

 

[326MOD10]

Under Virginia law, intentionally operating a drone in ways that infringe on another person's property and privacy is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This includes flying a drone within 50 feet of a dwelling without consent.

Actually looking at info from Post 17 the

Virginia statute seems to not be so cut and dry.

Screen shots are how the law reads and I doubt checking out the roof applies. Unless roof owner tells them no.

Of course this only VA.

 

[Tom S.]

And yet you chose to respond.

Nobody has proven to me that you can do whatever you want with your toy contrary to my rights as a private citizen.

Here you go: FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, enacted and approved by the President at the time, states in part:

In Class G (Uncontrolled) Airspace, an aircraft (such as a UAV) may be flown from the surface to not more than 400 feet above ground level and must comply with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions. See FAA Advisory Circular 91-57B at § 7.1.6 (May 31, 2019), https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_91-57B.pdf. UAVs cannot fly in controlled airspace without an FAA authorization. Id. at § 7.1.5.2.

Class G is unregulated airspace, such as that found above most people's private property. Regulated airspace A, B, C, D and E is generally at or around airports or other no-fly areas. As to your "Constitutional Right to Privacy", to date, the courts have ruled against it, in the case of drones, unless one can prove it was used for an unlawful purpose, such as taking lewd photos.

But it gets more complicated than that. The Federal government lays claim to regulating the skies - from above the surface of your land to outer space. Some states have set regulations both allowing and prohibiting drone flight over private land, but to date, none that I am aware of have been taken to the SCOTUS to be accepted or denied.

 

[sigp220.45]

Shoot one down and let us know how it goes.

 

[Rob613]

Thats actually FALSE..

The united states supreme court, an all state courts agreed to the following terms.

That if a person is standing in their yard they can be video taped or photographed without recourse. As in that situation they have no reasonable expectation of privacy.

If the person is standing in their yard, and they have a PRIVACY fence put up around the yard, then they have the reasonable expectation of privacy.

So in the first instance, taking a photo of this person is legal.

ERROR: The request could not be satisfied

But because of the second instance to the ruling, the person in the following part of the ruling, as shown in this image

ERROR: The request could not be satisfied

CANNOT be photographed because to get a photograph of them, whilst being outside the fence would require drilling a hole in the fence, or standing on a ladder, or standing in a taller building.
The supreme court also denoted that If you HAVE to stand on a ladder, or go to the second floor balcony to take a picture or video of someone inside a fenced in area, its an illegal photo or video.

The drone aspect is interesting as the FAA DID make rules about using over private property as each state has its own limitations.

I don’t believe I said anything about a fence, yes that can change things. As would using a thermal or IR camera.

 

[sceva]

Every time there is a storm around here the parade of storm chasers wanting to check our roof starts. If there is even a tiny bit of hail it is worse. They all get the same answer, I'll contact the company that put it on not someone I never heard of.

 

[dockmurgw]

We certainly don't need laws to tell us if something is right or wrong.

And there lies the rub. Unfortunately to many people are incapable and/or unwilling to know the difference between right or wrong. And then there's the ones that just don't care. We have a law here that would drive most of you crazy, relating to hunting on private property. I can go anywhere, on anyone's property and drop a deer as long as the property is not LEGALLY posted. Legally means that the sign size, wording and spacing are prescribed, and the signs must be registered with the local town clerk...complete with fee. A sign nailed to a tree doesn't cut it. I wouldn't consider doing that, and always check with property owners, but many don't because the law says they don't have to.
And when everyone is done talking about drones, start a conversation on cellular trail cams on other peoples property. Around here, they are allowed on public property, but if you find one on your property you can seize it.

 

[gjgalligan]

And I doubt there is a specific law saying it's illegal for me to enter your house if the front door is wide open but I'm sure you would take issue with it.

We certainly don't need laws to tell us if something is right or wrong.

Yes there is in Michigan

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

All Drones have to be registered with the FAA, commercial or not. Drone pilots have to pass an FAA test and carry a "Small USA Certificate of Registration" while operating a drone. The rules set forth by the FAA are very specific.

This applies to all RC aircraft as well.

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/small-unmanned-aircraft-systems-uas-regulations-part-107

https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/operations_over_people

 

[Bald1]

Under Virginia law, intentionally operating a drone in ways that infringe on another person's property and privacy is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This includes flying a drone within 50 feet of a dwelling without consent.

As it should be….. I think the lines are blurred. Why is it not stalking ? Why is it not harassment ? It’s an invasion of privacy.

 

[sigp220.45]

Under Virginia law, intentionally operating a drone in ways that infringe on another person's property and privacy is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This includes flying a drone within 50 feet of a dwelling without consent.

So a drone 51 feet high is legal.

 

[326MOD10]

If you look at the screenshots posted in Post 32 you will see Virginia IS NOT that cut and dry.

It takes more than just being within 50 feet.