The Drone Weather Forecast zone map has 80,853 drone zones in the United States, from FAA and DJI FlySafe. 51,734 of them close the airspace from the ground up. Another 4 set a height limit: you may fly below it without asking. Below are the zone types, the largest zones, the rules at a glance and the official links to request permission when you need to fly inside a zone.
Zone types
| Zone | Count | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 🟥 Prohibited | 8,094 | No flying from the ground up without a special permission: the area closest to airport runways, prisons, military sites, capital-city no-fly areas. |
| 🟧 Authorization required | 43,640 | You may fly only with an authorization from the aviation authority or the airspace manager, for example around airports and in controlled airspace. |
| 🟪 Height limit | 4 | You may fly below the height of the zone without asking; above it you need an authorization. Typical of the outer steps around airports. |
| 🟨 Warning | 24,220 | Not closed, but fly with care and follow the local rules: heliports, small airfields, military training areas, stadiums, nature reserves. |
| 🟩 Recommended | 4,895 | Places set aside for drone flying, such as model aircraft fields. |
Largest restricted zones
| Zone | Strictest part |
|---|---|
| Sheridan County (KSHR) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (KDFW) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Harry Reid Intl (KLAS) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Altoona/Blair County (KAOO) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Southwest Wyoming Rgnl (KRKS) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Tonopah (KTPH) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Laguardia (KLGA) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| George Bush Intcntl/Houston (KIAH) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| General Edward Lawrence Logan Intl (KBOS) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Concord Muni (KCON) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Laramie Rgnl (KLAR) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Denver Intl (KDEN) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Los Angeles Intl (KLAX) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Yampa Valley (KHDN) | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Yakutat (PAYA) | 🟥 Prohibited |
Drone rules in the United States at a glance
- Aviation authority: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Maximum height: 122 m (400 ft) above the ground, unless an authorization allows more.
- Registration: Register on FAADroneZone every drone flown under Part 107, and recreational drones of 250 g or more. Official page
- Official map: B4UFLY
- Recreational flyers must pass the free TRUST test; flying for work needs a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Drones that need FAA registration must broadcast Remote ID, unless flown at an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA).
How to get authorization to fly in a restricted zone
Steps and links from official sources, checked in September 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official website (FAA) before you fly.
- Check the airspace, nearby airports and temporary flight restrictions in a B4UFLY app. Official page
- To fly in controlled airspace near an airport, request authorization through LAANC in an FAA-approved app. It is open to Part 107 pilots and recreational flyers, and usually answers in seconds. Official page
- Where LAANC is not available, or you need to fly higher than the facility map allows, apply on FAADroneZone (processed manually). Official page
- Check Temporary Flight Restrictions on the day: they can close an area to drones at short notice. Official page
- Flying a DJI drone? With the authorization in hand, request an unlock on DJI FlySafe. DJI's unlock does not replace the authority's permission.
Check zones and weather before you fly
The Drone Weather Forecast app shows these zones on a map with their real shapes and height limits, next to the hourly wind, gusts, rain, KP index and satellites for your drone model.
Frequently asked questions
Where can't you fly a drone in the United States?
Around airports, military bases and other restricted areas. The app's map has 51,734 zones in the United States where you cannot fly from the ground up without an authorization; the official map is B4UFLY. Temporary restrictions can appear at any time, so check before every flight.
Do I need permission to fly a drone near an airport in the United States?
Yes. Flying inside an airport zone or other restricted airspace needs an authorization. Responsible authority: Federal Aviation Administration. The official steps and links are on this page.
How high can you fly a drone in the United States?
Up to 122 m (400 ft) above the ground under the general rules, unless an authorization allows more. Near airports the limit can be lower, or zero.
Where does this zone data come from?
From FAA and DJI FlySafe: data published by the authorities, or drawn from the national rules, as shipped in the Drone Weather Forecast app. It is a guide, not an authorization: the binding zones and temporary restrictions are the ones published by the aviation authority, Federal Aviation Administration (official map: B4UFLY).
Zone counts and names: FAA and DJI FlySafe, as shipped in the Drone Weather Forecast app on October 14, 2026. A safety guide, not the official airspace: the aviation authority publishes the binding zones and temporary restrictions.