Flying is regulated by the FAA; using a drone to watch or record someone is regulated by your state. Overflight itself is often allowed, but hovering to surveil a neighbor — especially over private areas — runs into state privacy and, in some states, civil-liability laws.
Two rulebooks: the FAA and your state
Drones live under two systems. The FAA controls the airspace and how you fly — registration, altitude, line of sight, no-fly zones. It generally doesn't decide privacy questions. Those belong to your state: whether you can point a drone's camera at someone, hover over their yard, or record them where they expect privacy.
That's why "I'm allowed to fly here" and "I'm allowed to record that" are different answers. Several states have drone-specific surveillance statutes, and a handful attach civil liability — letting the person you filmed sue you — even without a criminal charge. The state block above shows where yours lands.
What to watch out for
Passing through the air over a property is often legal; parking a camera above it to watch someone is a different act that can trigger privacy statutes and lawsuits.
Filming into a fenced yard, a window, or any space with an expectation of privacy is the fastest way into trouble — and in civil-liability states, the person can sue you directly.
What a licensed investigator can legally do
A licensed investigator who uses aerial tools follows both rulebooks — FAA flight rules and the state's surveillance limits — and sticks to lawful vantage points. What none of them may do is use a drone to peer into private spaces. An offer to "just fly over and get the shot" is a red flag.
Get this handled the right way
Know what's legal where you are, then connect with a licensed investigator who can document it without crossing a privacy line.
Start a caseGeneral legal information only, not legal advice. No attorney–client or investigator relationship is created by reading this.
This guide is general legal information, not legal advice, and laws change. Drone use is governed by both federal (FAA) flight rules and state privacy and surveillance laws, some carrying civil liability. Confirm the current law for your state at the official code and FAA rules before flying or recording.