Aerial photos sell Gulf Coast listings. A single drone shot can show the walk to the beach, the size of a lot, the boat lift, or the golf-course frontage that no ground-level photo can capture. But drones are regulated aircraft — and the rules matter, both for staying legal and for protecting your brokerage.
Here's what every Florida agent should understand before adding "aerial photos" to a listing.
You can't just hire anyone with a drone
This is the single most important point. When a drone is used to help sell or market a property, that's a commercial operation in the eyes of the FAA. Commercial flights require the pilot to hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
A neighbor with a hobby drone is not legally allowed to shoot your listing, even as a favor. The flight has to be operated by a certified Part 107 pilot.
Always confirm your photographer is Part 107 certified. A reputable real estate media company will have this — and carry liability insurance for the flight.
The core FAA rules
Even with certification, every flight follows the same basic limits:
- Fly below 400 feet above ground level.
- Keep the drone within visual line of sight.
- Don't fly over people who aren't part of the operation.
- Check the airspace. Controlled airspace near airports requires authorization (usually instant, through the FAA's LAANC system).
Sarasota-area airspace to watch
Our region has several pockets of controlled airspace — around Sarasota-Bradenton International (SRQ), Venice Municipal, and other fields. A listing that sits inside that controlled airspace isn't off-limits, but it does require authorization before the flight. A certified pilot handles this as part of the job; it's not something to discover the morning of the shoot.
Privacy and HOA considerations
Beyond the FAA, a couple of practical issues come up often:
- Neighbors' privacy. Good aerial work frames the subject property, not the neighbor's backyard or pool.
- HOA and community rules. Some gated and deed-restricted communities have their own drone policies. A quick heads-up to the listing owner avoids surprises.
How to keep it simple for your listing
You don't need to memorize the regulations — you need a media partner who already lives by them. Before the shoot, confirm:
- The pilot is Part 107 certified.
- They carry insurance for aerial work.
- They'll handle any airspace authorization required for that address.
Get those three right and aerial photography becomes one of the easiest ways to make a waterfront, acreage, or golf-course listing stand out.
Want compliant, insured aerial photos on your next listing? Book a shoot and we'll take care of the airspace details for you.