Drone Rules in Canada: Where You Can Fly, How Close to Airports and What Breaks the Rules

This is general information, not legal advice. The rules below were checked against Transport Canada's pages and the regulations in October 2026. Always check the current page before you fly, because they change.

Quick answer: drone flying in Canada is governed by Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. In short, hold the right pilot certificate, register and mark any drone of 250 g or more, never fly recklessly, stay away from airports, heliports and emergency scenes, keep the drone no higher than 122 m (400 ft), and keep a small drone at least 30 m from people who are not involved in the flight. Insurance is not required for standard flying, but it is recommended.

The rules that apply to every drone

Transport Canada's safety page lists the baseline for all pilots:

• Do not fly in a reckless or negligent manner that endangers aviation safety or anyone's safety.
• Follow Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
• Survey the area before you fly for obstacles such as buildings and power lines.
• Stay away from emergency sites such as traffic accidents and wildfires.

A microdrone under 250 g skips registration, marking and the pilot certificate, but it still has to follow these rules. If you are not sure which pilot certificate applies to you, our guide to the drone licence in Canada explains Basic and Advanced.

How high and how close to people

Two sections of the regulations set the numbers most pilots ask about.

Height. Under section 901.25, a pilot may not operate a drone higher than 400 feet (122 m) above the ground. There is a second limit near structures: you may not go more than 100 feet (30 m) above a building or structure when you are within 200 feet (61 m) of it horizontally. Both limits can be exceeded only under a Special Flight Operations Certificate.

Distance from people. Under section 901.26, a small drone flown within visual line of sight must stay at least 100 feet (30 m) horizontally from anyone not involved in the operation. For a medium drone the distance is 500 feet (152.4 m). The section opens with an exception for operations conducted under Division V of Part IX. Transport Canada's certificate table says Basic pilots may not fly closer to or over people, while Advanced and Level 1 Complex pilots may, if the drone meets the safety feature requirements for that operation.

How close to airports and heliports

Transport Canada's "where to fly" page gives these separation distances:

Place

Stay at least

Notes

Certified airport (listed "Cert" in the Canada Flight Supplement)

5.6 km (3 nautical miles)

Unless following an established Transport Canada procedure

Certified heliport

1.9 km (1 nautical mile)

Unless following an established procedure

Certified aerodromes and heliports, for lower-risk beyond-line-of-sight flights

9.3 km (5 nautical miles)

Department of National Defence aerodrome

Within 5.6 km needs authorization

From the military aerodrome authorities

Inside those distances, outside controlled airspace, you need a valid Advanced certificate and must follow the established procedures. In controlled airspace, you need an Advanced certificate, a drone with the manufacturer's safety declaration, and authorization from the air navigation service provider. For NAV CANADA airspace, that request goes through NAV Drone.

Places you cannot fly, or cannot take off

Transport Canada lists several places that are off limits without the right authorization:

• Emergency sites. Do not fly inside the security perimeter of a police or first responder operation, or over or within the perimeter of a flood or accident scene. Do not fly within 9.3 km (5 nautical miles) of a wildfire.
• National parks. Taking off or landing in a national park is not allowed. A park superintendent may allow it in some cases, so contact Parks Canada.
• Restricted airspace. Without authorization, no drone, including those under 250 g, may enter Class F Special Use Restricted Airspace or a zone restricted by a NOTAM.
• Advertised events. Do not fly near or at advertised events such as outdoor concerts and sporting events unless you hold a Special Flight Operations Certificate that allows it. This applies to microdrone pilots too.

Indoor and underground flying falls outside Part IX, but you must still fly safely and respect other laws. Transport Canada recommends asking the building owner or occupants before flying indoors or near or over buildings.

Tools to check before you launch

Three free tools help you work out where you stand: NAV Drone from NAV CANADA (to schedule flights and request permission in controlled airspace), the NRC Drone Site Selection Tool (an interactive map of prohibited, restricted and potentially hazardous areas, which Transport Canada says is for convenience only), and the NAV CANADA NOTAM portal for current notices. Check them before each flight, because airspace restrictions can change from day to day.

What breaking the rules can cost

Transport Canada lists these as maximum penalties:

Serious penalties, including jail time, may apply, and more than one penalty can apply if you break several rules at once.

What changed in 2025

Transport Canada's summary of the 2025 changes says that from November 4, 2025, beyond-line-of-sight, extended line-of-sight and sheltered operations may begin without the Special Flight Operations Certificate that was needed before. Advanced pilots gained privileges for sheltered operations, extended line-of-sight and medium drones within line of sight. Sheltered operations with small drones must stay more than 30 m from uninvolved people. These are specialist categories, and most everyday flying is still governed by the basics above.

Rules, liability and insurance

Following the rules does not remove the risk of a claim. A drone that hits a person, a vehicle or a building can still create a liability claim, even when the pilot did nothing wrong. Transport Canada treats insurance as a recommendation for standard categories, and it may ask for proof when an operation needs a Special Flight Operations Certificate.

Insurance wording can also tie cover to how and where you fly, so ask an advisor to show you which operations a policy covers and which it excludes. Air1's UAV insurance page says client shoots, events and productions can come with insurance requirements that you need to meet before you fly. Our guide to drone liability insurance explains what it usually covers, and our registration and insurance guide covers the registration step.

FAQ

Where can I fly my drone in Canada?

‍You can fly in uncontrolled airspace away from airports, heliports, emergency sites, national parks and restricted airspace, as long as you follow Part IX. Check NAV Drone and the NRC Drone Site Selection Tool for the area before you go.

How high can I fly a drone in Canada?

‍The regulations set a limit of 400 feet (122 m) above the ground, and 100 feet (30 m) above a building or structure when you are within 200 feet (61 m) of it horizontally, unless you fly under a Special Flight Operations Certificate.

How far from an airport must I fly my drone?

‍Transport Canada says to stay at least 5.6 km (3 nautical miles) from a certified airport and 1.9 km (1 nautical mile) from a certified heliport, unless you follow an established procedure.

Can I fly a drone in a national park in Canada?

‍Taking off or landing in a national park is not allowed. A park superintendent may allow it in some cases, so contact Parks Canada first.

Can I fly a drone over people?

‍Basic pilots may not fly closer to or over people. Advanced pilots may, if the drone meets the safety feature requirements for that operation.

Is drone insurance required in Canada?

‍Not for standard categories, according to Transport Canada, but it is recommended, and proof may be required for operations that need a Special Flight Operations Certificate.

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Flying for clients, events or inspections? Start with Air1's UAV insurance options, then request a quote and ask an advisor to confirm the limits and certificates your jobs call for.

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