Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to fly drones in NYC?: Yes, but under strict regulations. Drone operators must be FAA Part 107 certified and obtain a permit from the NYPD. Flights must stay below 400 feet, avoid airports, and not fly over uninvolved people or property. Compliance with local and federal laws is mandatory for all commercial flights.
Which buildings have to file under FISP, and when is mine due?: Local Law 11 requires buildings more than six stories to file a periodic façade inspection report. Cycle 10 runs from 21 February 2025 to 21 February 2030 and is divided into three sub-cycles by the last digit of the tax block: sub-cycle 10A covers blocks ending 4, 5, 6 or 9 and closes 21 February 2027; 10B covers blocks ending 0, 7 or 8 and closes 21 February 2028; 10C covers blocks ending 1, 2 or 3 and closes 21 February 2029. Confirm your building’s window with the Department of Buildings or your QEWI before you rely on a date.
Can drone imagery satisfy a Local Law 11 filing?: Not on its own, and we are explicit about that. We capture and deliver the aerial data. We do not provide engineering, architectural or structural evaluations, and we do not issue compliance certifications under Local Law 11 or any other building code. The filing is made by your Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector, who interprets the imagery and signs the report. Read the full disclaimer
Does a drone survey replace a hands-on inspection?: That determination belongs to your QEWI, not to us. What the DOB requires of a given building, and how much physical examination that involves, is a judgement the licensed professional signing the filing has to make. What we provide is comprehensive, high-resolution documentation of every elevation that the QEWI can work from alongside whatever physical examination they determine is necessary. Read the full disclaimer
Do you handle the FAA and NYPD permits?: We coordinate them. Our services include assistance in securing FAA waivers and NYPD drone flight permits, and we facilitate applications through the NYPD’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems process. We are not a government agency and cannot guarantee approval — every flight goes ahead only once the required authorisations are in hand. Read the full disclaimer
What do we receive at the end of a project?: Depending on the service: high-resolution photography organised by elevation, thermal imagery, orthomosaic maps, LiDAR point clouds, and photorealistic 3D models. Three-dimensional deliverables are hosted in a browser-based viewer where you can navigate the building, take measurements and add annotations, so the capture stays usable after the flight rather than becoming a folder of stills. See the 3D viewer
How long does it take to get the deliverables?: Façade inspection deliverables are typically ready within 5-7 business days of capture. Larger sites, multi-building portfolios and heavier processing such as dense point clouds or full digital twins take longer. The schedule for your project is confirmed in your service agreement.
What are your credentials, and are you insured?: Our pilots are licensed under FAA Part 107 for commercial drone operations, we apply for an NYPD drone permit on every project and fly once it is approved, and we carry $5M in liability insurance. We work across all five boroughs. The FAA Certified Remote Pilot seal signifies Part 107 licensing only; it does not imply endorsement by or affiliation with the FAA or the U.S. Government. About Drone Inspect NYC
What happens if weather or an airspace restriction stops the flight?: You are not charged for it. Weather-related delays and FAA or NYPD delays are not billed, though the flight may need to be rescheduled. Client-side cancellations within 48 hours of a scheduled service may incur a fee. Read the terms of service
Who owns the data, and how long do you keep it?: Materials we produce remain our property until payment is received in full; on full payment you are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use them internally. Project files are held in encrypted cloud storage under multi-factor access control and are deleted after three years unless otherwise agreed. You can request access to, correction of, or deletion of your data at any time. Read the privacy policy

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