A drone hummed over the Wando River one fall morning in 2024, then drifted toward the back fence line of a federal correctional installation outside Charleston. It was not the first time. South Carolina prison officials have logged contraband flights for years, and the Department of Corrections has invested in counter-drone detection along its perimeter. The same pattern repeats at Lee Correctional, at Broad River, and along the fence at Lieber. In 2018 the legislature responded with the state's first drone-specific statute, S.C. Code § 24-1-300, which set a 500-foot buffer around corrections facilities. In May 2026 both chambers of the General Assembly voted unanimously to replace that statute with something far broader: H4679, the South Carolina Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act. As of this writing the bill has been enrolled by both chambers and is awaiting transmission to Governor Henry McMaster for signature. Its effective date is January 1, 2027.
If you fly in South Carolina, the rules that apply to your flight sit in three layers. Federal, from the FAA. State, where the rules are about to shift in a serious way. And local, which in SC means a patchwork of city ordinances and county park rules — Charleston's 1/4-mile restrictions, CCPRC's blanket ban across Charleston County parks, Hunting Island's flat "no drones" policy, and a Myrtle Beach city that defers entirely to federal rules. A wedding shoot at the Battery, a real-estate flyover in Mount Pleasant, a peach-orchard survey in Edgefield County, or a hurricane-response mission on the Grand Strand after the next Atlantic storm all sit inside those same three layers. The guide below covers all three, with primary-source citations, so you can plan a flight that stays legal from pre-takeoff to landing.
What governs drone flight in South Carolina?
Three layers, in this order:
Federal law (FAA)
Applies everywhere in South Carolina. The floor, not the ceiling.
South Carolina state law
Today: § 24-1-300 (corrections-buffer), §§ 50-1-130 and 50-9-580 (Aerial Management Program), § 16-17-470 (eavesdropping / voyeurism). Starting 1/1/2027: the new Article 3 of Title 55 under H4679 — expanded buffers, weaponization felonies, and an explicit preemption framework.
Local ordinances
City, county, town, and park-district policies on the ground. They can regulate takeoff and landing on public property. Airspace itself belongs to the FAA.
The rest of this article works through each layer in that order.
Federal baseline: what applies everywhere
Before any South Carolina rule kicks in, you are bound by FAA rules. Here is the short version.
- Part 107Commercial operation. Real estate, inspections, paid content — the Remote Pilot Certificate is required.
- TRUSTNon-commercial flight. Free online test. No license, but you must carry the completion certificate.
- FAA registration$5. Every drone over 0.55 lb (250 g). Number visible on the aircraft.
- Remote IDMandatory since March 16, 2024. Standard Remote ID, broadcast module, or FRIA.
- Altitude cap400 ft AGL for most flights.
- Visual Line of SightYou or a visual observer — eyes on the aircraft. Daylight or civil twilight.
- Controlled airspaceLAANC required for Class B / C / D / surface-E. Most urban SC sits under controlled airspace.
Charleston International (CHS) is Class C and shares its airspace with Joint Base Charleston. Columbia Metropolitan (CAE) and Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) are Class C. Myrtle Beach International (MYR) is Class D with extensive Class E shelves covering the Grand Strand. Hilton Head (HXD) is Class D. If you fly anywhere along the SC coast or in any of the metros, you are in controlled airspace more often than not.
Everything that follows is what South Carolina layers on top.
South Carolina state-level drone laws
H4679 — the Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act — what changes January 1, 2027
H4679 passed the House 108-0 on April 14, 2026, and the Senate 46-0 on May 7, 2026. The House concurred in the Senate amendment and enrolled the bill on May 13, 2026 (roll call 92-0). The scstatehouse.gov bill page still lists the measure as "Currently residing in the House" pending ratification by the joint assembly and transmission to the governor. The bill's own effective-date section sets January 1, 2027.
The act adds a new Article 3 to Chapter 1 of Title 55 (Aeronautics), creating four new sections: S.C. Code §§ 55-1-200 through 55-1-230. Three pillars do most of the work:
- Location-based prohibitions (§ 55-1-220(A)). It becomes unlawful to intentionally or knowingly operate, take off, or land a drone above or within FAA-controlled airspace without FAA authorization — and within 1,500 feet horizontal of a correctional or detention facility, or 1,500 feet horizontal of a military installation, without express written consent. The corrections buffer expands from 500 feet to 1,500 feet. The military buffer is new. SC's "military installation" definition is broad: it covers Joint Base Charleston, Shaw AFB, Parris Island, MCAS Beaufort, Fort Jackson, the Coast Guard sector at Charleston Harbor (including cutters operating in SC territorial waters), and SC National Guard and State Guard facilities statewide.
- Intent-based felonies (§ 55-1-220(C)). It becomes a felony to operate, take off, land, or even possess a drone with intent to deliver contraband to a correctional facility (up to five years), to surveil or map a military or correctional facility for purposes of identifying vulnerabilities, security measures, or response patterns (up to five years), or to weaponize the drone or threaten or harm a person or property (up to ten years and a $25,000 fine).
- FAA compliance and preemption (§§ 55-1-210 and 55-1-230). The act explicitly requires FAA compliance, preserves federal airspace authority, and partially preempts local government. Cities, counties, and other political subdivisions cannot enact ordinances that conflict with the article or with FAA rules, but they may impose reasonable restrictions on takeoff and landing sites on or above their own public property.
Misdemeanor penalties under H4679
For § 55-1-220(A) location violations or § 55-1-220(B) registration violations, the penalty scales by offense count: up to $1,000 and six months for a first offense, up to $2,500 and a year for a second, up to $5,000 and two years for a third or subsequent. Each subsection of the statute is a separate offense. Multiple charges from a single flight are possible.
What H4679 repeals
Section 3 of the act repeals the existing § 24-1-300 corrections-buffer statute and the companion § 24-5-175 local-detention provision. Effectively, those rules move out of Title 24 (Corrections) and are rebuilt in Title 55 (Aeronautics) with a tripled buffer and added intent-based felony hooks.
What's in effect today (through December 31, 2026)
Until H4679 takes effect, the operative SC drone-specific statute is S.C. Code § 24-1-300. It prohibits operating a drone within 500 feet horizontally or 250 feet vertically of any SC Department of Corrections facility without written consent from the SCDC Director. The penalty is a misdemeanor — up to a $500 fine or 30 days in jail. The current statute carves out FAA-registered commercial operators monitoring electric, communications, water, or transportation infrastructure, provided they notify SCDC at least two hours and no more than five days in advance with the drone's FAA registration number.
Aerial Management Program — drones for feral hogs and coyotes
South Carolina is one of the very few states with an affirmative drone-hunting authorization. Under S.C. Code §§ 50-1-130 and 50-9-580, SCDNR issues an Aerial Management Program (AMP) permit that authorizes drone use to count, photograph, relocate, capture, hunt, or take feral hogs and coyotes — and only those species. Permit holders must carry the AMP, pair it with a signed Landowner's Authorization (LOA) for each tract, and maintain a daily flight log.
Outside the AMP carve-out, drone-based wildlife management or harassment is unlawful. You cannot use a drone to scout deer, spot turkeys, drive game, or harass any wildlife other than feral hogs and coyotes under a permit. Violations are enforced by SCDNR conservation officers. The TIP line is 1-800-922-5431.
Privacy and surveillance — the § 16-17-470 catch-all
South Carolina has not enacted a dedicated drone-privacy statute. Drone-based privacy intrusions are processed through S.C. Code § 16-17-470, the state's eavesdropping, peeping, and voyeurism statute. The section makes it unlawful to be an eavesdropper or "peeping tom" on or about the premises of another, defines "surveillance" as secret observation for the purpose of spying upon and invading privacy, and defines "view" to include intentional looking with a device designed to improve visual acuity — language broad enough to reach a drone's onboard camera. Aggravated voyeurism (distribution of images) is a felony with up to a $5,000 fine and 10 years in prison.
When H4679 takes effect, it adds criminal-intent surveillance offenses for military and corrections facilities specifically (§ 55-1-220(C)(2)), but the general residential-privacy framework still runs through § 16-17-470 and the common-law intrusion-upon-seclusion tort.
State parks — call ahead, per park
Unlike states with a blanket parks-system drone ban, SC operates a per-park permission model administered by the SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT). The official SC State Parks FAQ tells visitors to contact the park directly. The practical step is to call SCPRT Park Operations at 803-734-0156 before your trip.
Hunting Island State Park in Beaufort County explicitly bans drones. That ban is enforced. For commercial drone work in any SC state park, contact the SCPRT Chief of Park Operations at (803) 734-0345 to start a permit conversation. There is no standardized online application.
Commercial versus recreational operation
South Carolina does not require a state-level drone license, registration, or business permit beyond what the FAA already requires. Commercial operators need FAA registration and Part 107. Recreational operators need FAA registration and TRUST. Normal SC business and tax obligations apply to commercial drone operators the same way they apply to any other business.
Penalties at a glance
| Violation | Statute | Classification | Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections-buffer (through 12/31/2026) | § 24-1-300 | Misdemeanor | Up to 30 days / $500 |
| Corrections / military buffer (effective 1/1/2027) | § 55-1-220(A), 1st offense | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months / $1,000 |
| Same, 2nd offense | § 55-1-220(D)(2) | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year / $2,500 |
| Same, 3rd or subsequent | § 55-1-220(D)(3) | Misdemeanor | Up to 2 years / $5,000 |
| Contraband delivery to corrections | § 55-1-220(C)(1) | Felony | Up to 5 years / $10,000 |
| Surveillance of military or corrections w/ criminal intent | § 55-1-220(C)(2) | Felony | Up to 5 years / $10,000 |
| Weaponized drone or use to harm | § 55-1-220(C)(3) | Felony | Up to 10 years / $25,000 |
| Aerial wildlife harassment (non-AMP species) | § 50-1-130 | Per SCDNR | Varies |
| Voyeurism / aggravated voyeurism | § 16-17-470 | Misdemeanor / Felony | Up to 10 years / $5,000 (aggravated) |
Local ordinances to watch in South Carolina
South Carolina is not a broad-preemption state today. H4679 adds a partial-preemption framework that lets cities and counties regulate takeoff and landing on their own public property, but does not let them write conflicting airspace rules. Until that act takes effect, local ordinances on the books continue to apply, and most of them regulate launch and landing from city or county property — which is exactly the kind of rule that survives federal preemption analysis.
Charleston 1/4-Mile Buffers
The City of Charleston restricts drones within a 1/4-mile radius of schools while in session, hospitals, parks, recreation facilities, sporting events, road races, outdoor festivals, fireworks shows, stadiums, and any public gathering of more than 50 people. A 1/4-mile radius from any of those triggers covers most of downtown on any given weekend. Pair that with Class C airspace from CHS and the Joint Base Charleston shared airspace, and any Charleston flight needs preplanning.
Charleston County Parks (CCPRC) Blanket Ban
The Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission's Rules & Regulations (Version 2024.04) prohibit launching a drone in any CCPRC park or recreation area "unless a permit has been granted and then only in designated area for such activity." That covers James Island County Park, Wannamaker County Park, Palmetto Islands, Caw Caw, Folly Beach County Park, Isle of Palms County Park, Stono River, Laurel Hill, McLeod Plantation, and SK8 Charleston. For permit inquiries, contact CCPRC at (843) 795-4386.
Folly Beach Permit Required
The City of Folly Beach requires permits for drone operations within city limits. Folly Beach County Park, separately, is governed by the CCPRC blanket ban above.
Myrtle Beach No City Ordinance
The City of Myrtle Beach has no specific drone ordinance and defers to FAA rules. That sounds permissive until you look at the airspace. MYR is Class D with extensive Class E shelves covering most of the strip. LAANC authorization is required for nearly the entire Grand Strand corridor under 400 feet. Casual flights from a beachfront balcony are almost never legal without LAANC pre-approval.
Hilton Head & Beaufort County Resort Rules + Hunting Island Ban
Hilton Head Airport (HXD) is Class D. Most popular Hilton Head locations sit under controlled airspace. Private resort communities — Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, Wexford — set their own property rules that typically prohibit drone use. Hunting Island State Park, just up the road in Beaufort County, bans drones outright.
Columbia & Greenville Park-by-Park
The City of Columbia's parks prohibit drone use without special-event permits. Drone policy varies park to park; the SCPRT operations office at 803-734-0156 is a good first call for state parks, and Columbia Parks & Recreation handles city parks separately. CAE (Columbia Metropolitan) is Class C, covering most of downtown and USC. Shaw AFB Class D and restricted area R-6002 sit east of the city in Sumter. In Greenville, Falls Park on the Reedy is the headline restriction — drones are prohibited there. The Greenville County Sheriff's Office publishes a public-facing drone-use guidelines page that summarizes the federal-and-state framework as of 2025. GSP (Greenville-Spartanburg International) is Class C, and Donaldson Field (GMU) is Class D.
Before launching on any city, county, or park-district property, check whether that body has a published drone policy. Airspace is federal. The launch and recovery point — the ground you are standing on — is where local rules bite.
Where to fly legally in South Carolina
Looking for places to fly that do not require a permit application?
- AMA-recognized club fields listed at modelaircraft.org. Membership gets you insurance and a published list of SC sites.
- Private property with the owner's written permission — outside the controlled-airspace rings around CHS, MYR, CAE, GSP, HXD, and outside the 1,500-foot buffers (effective 1/1/2027) around corrections and military installations.
- FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs). SC has a short list, updated at faa.gov.
- WMAs and Heritage Preserves managed by SCDNR — outside the wildlife-harassment prohibition and outside any posted on-site restrictions.
- The B4UFLY app before every flight. It surfaces controlled airspace, active TFRs, the stadium-event TFR under 14 CFR § 99.7 when the Gamecocks, Clemson, or Beaufort Water Festival is happening, and security-sensitive exclusions in real time.
Who enforces drone laws in South Carolina?
Federal rules are enforced by the FAA, with criminal referrals to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Civil penalties for serious violations run into the tens of thousands of dollars. SC state criminal charges under § 24-1-300 today (and § 55-1-220 starting in 2027) are filed by local prosecutors, typically following an investigation by the SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the SC State Highway Patrol, SCDC personnel, or a municipal police department. SCDNR conservation officers handle wildlife-related violations. Local police and park-district enforcement officers cover city and park-district violations. Civil exposure for privacy and damage claims runs in parallel.
How to fly legally in South Carolina — quick checklist
- Drone registered with the FAA and the number visible on the aircraft.
- Remote ID active and broadcasting (or operating inside a FRIA).
- Under 400 feet AGL, Visual Line of Sight, daylight or civil twilight.
- Airspace checked. LAANC approved if you are in Class B, C, D, or surface-E.
- Commercial use? Remote Pilot Certificate current.
- Recreational use? TRUST certificate on you.
- Planned location checked against SC state law — corrections buffer, military installation buffer (effective 1/1/2027), state park policy, wildlife use?
- Local city, county, or park policy checked (Charleston, CCPRC, Folly Beach, Hilton Head resorts, Columbia, Greenville).
- Property owner's permission for takeoff and landing.
Commercial drone work in South Carolina
The industries that most often hire Part 107 pilots in South Carolina include utility and nuclear-facility inspection, port and aerospace operations, agriculture, and county-level public-safety and emergency-management UAS programs.
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Training for commercial teams →South Carolina drone law FAQ
How do I comply with the upcoming Part 108 regulations in South Carolina?
Part 108 rulemaking for routine BVLOS operations is still in progress at the FAA. South Carolina pilots who need to start planning now — for utility and nuclear-facility inspection, port and aerospace operations, agriculture, or any operation that won't fit under Part 107 — can contact USI to book a strategy session with a Part 108 specialist and map a path forward.
Do I need a license to fly a drone in South Carolina?
For commercial use, yes — the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. For recreational use, the free TRUST certificate. SC itself does not issue a separate state drone license.
Is H4679 the new SC drone law in effect?
Not yet. H4679, the South Carolina Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act, passed the House 108-0 and the Senate 46-0 in 2026 and was enrolled on May 13, 2026. It is awaiting ratification by the joint assembly and transmission to the governor. The act's own effective date is January 1, 2027.
Can I fly a drone in South Carolina state parks?
Policy is per park. Hunting Island State Park bans drones. Other parks handle requests case by case. Call SCPRT Park Operations at 803-734-0156 before your trip, or contact the park directly.
Can I fly a drone at Charleston-area beaches and county parks?
Not without a permit. Charleston County Parks (CCPRC) bans drone launches at all county park and recreation areas — Folly Beach County Park, Isle of Palms County Park, James Island County Park, Wannamaker, Palmetto Islands, Caw Caw, and the rest — unless a permit has been granted for a designated area. The City of Folly Beach also requires a city permit.
Can I fly a drone in Myrtle Beach?
The City of Myrtle Beach has no drone-specific ordinance, but Myrtle Beach International (MYR) is Class D with broad Class E coverage of the Grand Strand. LAANC authorization is required for nearly the entire metro under 400 feet.
Can I fly over private property in South Carolina?
Airspace above private property is federal airspace, and the FAA regulates it. SC has no specific statute barring transient overflight of private land. But if you linger, film, or operate in a way that invites a § 16-17-470 voyeurism or intrusion-upon-seclusion claim, you can be prosecuted or sued. The safe practice is to get permission for takeoff and landing from any property owner whose land you are operating on, and to avoid loitering over the neighbors.
Can I use a drone to hunt feral hogs in South Carolina?
Yes, with permits. S.C. Code § 50-9-580 establishes the Aerial Management Program (AMP). An AMP holder paired with a Landowner's Authorization (LOA) may use drones to count, photograph, relocate, capture, hunt, or take feral hogs and coyotes on specified tracts. The AMP holder must carry the permit and maintain a daily flight log. Drones cannot be used to hunt or harass any other wildlife.
How close can I fly to a South Carolina prison?
Today (through 12/31/2026): within 500 feet horizontal or 250 feet vertical of a Department of Corrections facility without written consent from the SCDC Director is a misdemeanor under § 24-1-300. Starting 1/1/2027 (if H4679 is signed): within 1,500 feet horizontal of any federal, state, county, or municipal correctional or detention facility without written consent is a misdemeanor under § 55-1-220, escalating to a felony if intent involves contraband delivery.
Can I fly a drone near Joint Base Charleston, Shaw AFB, or Parris Island?
Today: no specific SC buffer applies, but federal restricted areas and security-sensitive airspace around military installations are enforced under federal law. Starting 1/1/2027: H4679's § 55-1-220 makes it unlawful to operate a drone within 1,500 feet horizontal of any military installation without express written consent from the Department of Defense or the installation's commanding authority. Surveillance flights for the purpose of identifying vulnerabilities are felonies.
What's the penalty for flying without a license in South Carolina?
The FAA imposes civil penalties on commercial operators flying without Part 107 — typically several thousand dollars per violation. Recreational pilots who skip TRUST risk civil penalties as well. SC layers state-law penalties on top for specific conduct (corrections-buffer, AMP violations, voyeurism, etc.) but does not impose a separate license requirement.
Do I have to register my drone with the state of South Carolina?
No separate SC registration. Federal FAA registration only — $5 for any drone over 0.55 pounds.
Citations
Federal
South Carolina state
- H4679 (126th GA)
- H4679 latest text (5/7/2026 Senate amendment)
- S.C. Code § 24-1-300 (corrections-buffer, current)
- S.C. Code § 16-17-470 (eavesdropping, peeping, voyeurism)
- S.C. Code § 50-1-130 / § 50-9-580 (aerial wildlife / AMP)
- SC State Parks FAQ
- SCPRT permits
Local
- City of Charleston Code of Ordinances
- CCPRC Rules & Regulations (2024.04 PDF)
- City of Folly Beach rules
- City of Myrtle Beach code
- Greenville County Sheriff drone-use guidelines
- GSP Airport drone page