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

[coltle6920]

With last weeks hailstorm it's hard to tell which is worse... The influx of unwanted phone calls or the junk mail.

I don't answer my phone and surprisingly three people actually took the time to leave a message. It's obvious they were phishing for business but one in particular was different. They actually came out and said they were using drones to survey the hard hit areas. This is where I question the legality of flying drones over residential properties.

Mind you none of these callers said they were acting on behalf of any insurance company and they mentioned their company name in the message.

I can't follow up on the one particular message because I deleted all of them after listening to them. It might be worth a phone call if I get another one.

 

[sigp220.45]

I’m down the road from you in Douglas County. There have been drones in the air after hail storms for the last couple of years.

I don’t think its illegal.

We got hammered pretty good in 2016 and again last year. Two new roofs and three totalled cars so far. The air was barely clear before the roofing company vans started cruising the neighborhood.

I don’t have a landline, so no calls.

 

[Rustyt1953]

We don't own the airspace over our homes.

 

[Rustyt1953]

But I bet "we" Owns a semi auto shotgun, with a nice 26" barrel and High Brass goose loads..

That is illegal.

 

[Rob613]

There’s also no expectation of privacy for what’s visible on the outside of your home.

 

[coltle6920]

We don't own the airspace over our homes.

You might want to rethink things before making that comment. We all have an expectation of privacy in our lives and aside from LEO drones or helicopters that would include no intrusion from privately used drones or a neighbor's security cameras.

 

[Rustyt1953]

The forum archives contain a hod load of threads regarding official and recreational drones. This has all been covered.

 

[coltle6920]

There’s also no expectation of privacy for what’s visible on the outside of your home.

Maybe in your front yard but not the back yard as I said in post 7.

 

[coltle6920]

The forum archives contain a hod load of threads regarding official and recreational drones. This has all been covered.

Then quote me something legal that says I can hover a drone over a neighbor's property with no consequences.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Then quote me something legal that says I can hover a drone over a neighbor's property with no consequences.

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

 

[wood714]

You might want to rethink things before making that comment. We all have an expectation of privacy in our lives and aside from LEO drones or helicopters that would include no intrusion from privately used drones or a neighbor's security cameras.

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.

As far as drones go, anyone can fly over your house. If you're outside and someone with a drone is following you around or hovering over your pool, you would have a legit case if you could film it for proof.

A lot of drones have Remote ID. You can download the Remote ID app to your phone or tablet. If it does have Remote ID, you would be able to see the drones remote ID number and where the location of the person flying it is.

 

[Imissedagain]

Drone Be Gone.

 

[lihpster]

Drone Be Gone.

The problem is you've gotta feed him. The bird too.

 

[gjgalligan]

Then quote me something legal that says I can hover a drone over a neighbor's property with no consequences.

Quote us a law that says they can't.

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

 

[Dave.357]

If I have a pool with a privacy fence around it and
Your looking down into it you are a target.

 

[dockmurgw]

This site seems to have a wealth of information on the subject. You can click on a state to get the particulars.

Drone Laws by States of the USA - [Updated January 18, 2024]

 

[dockmurgw]

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

 

[smoothshooter]

Quote us a law that says they can't.

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

Unfortunately, it is illegal to shoot drones.

 

[yaktamer]

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

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Actually, we do own the airspace over our homes, but we have ceded control of that airspace to the government for regulation as necessary for public purposes and safety.

Laws generally do not specify what is legal, only what is prohibited. Even then, prohibition may depend upon the specific intent of the individuals involved. Only a few criminal statutes are "strict liability" laws, i.e.: absolute prohibitions without exception. Most statutes require criminal intent on the part of the actors be proven.

A person's privacy rights are usually interpreted in light of the principle of "reasonable expectation". There is no reasonable expectation of privacy when we are on a public street or right of way where anyone may observe. Those portions of private property that can be seen from outside the boundaries may have varying degrees of reasonable expectation depending on fencing, walls, landscaping, etc. The fundamental standard is that a person has a right to see anything visible from a location where that person is lawfully located.

Drone operations (public or private) are generally regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration. Altitudes, proximity to buildings, and other factors are considered. Individual states may have their own laws. I sincerely doubt that any public official is going to place significant priority on complaints.