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Drone Rules for Assateague Island National Seashore

Berlin, Maryland (MD) • United States
7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811, USA
Lat: 38.0757 • Lng: -75.2354
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 29, 2026
Summary
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Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Assateague Island National Seashore under NPS regulations, controlled by the National Park Service. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit from the park superintendent. Home to the famous Chincoteague wild pony herds and cri

Authorization Status

  • Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
  • Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
  • ESA: ⚠️ Piping Plover critical nesting beaches — seasonal absolute ban
  • Wild horses: ⚠️ Chincoteague pony herd — disturbance prohibited

Geographic Boundaries

Assateague Island National Seashore is located in Worcester County, Maryland, and Accomack County, Virginia.

  • Total area: ~41,320 acres
  • Length: ~37 miles barrier island
  • Coordinates: 38.1167° N, 75.1667° W
  • Includes Maryland district (NPS managed), Virginia district (shared with Chincoteague NWR/USFWS), wild pony herds, and critical Piping Plover nesting beaches
  • Nearest city: Ocean City, MD (~8 miles north)

Regulations

  • NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
  • 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
  • 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within park
  • Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) threatened; nesting beach UAS overflight constitutes ESA Section 9 harassment
  • Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (16 U.S.C. § 1331) — Chincoteague pony herd federally protected from harassment
  • Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — colonial waterbird nesting on barrier island
  • FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
  • Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over seashore

Penalties

  • NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
  • ESA Piping Plover: up to $25,000 civil + $50,000 criminal
    • 1 year imprisonment per nesting disturbance
  • Wild Horse Act: fines up to $2,000 + 1 year imprisonment
  • MBTA fines up to $15,000 + 6 months per bird disturbance
  • FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
  • Equipment confiscation by park rangers

Special Permissions

  • NPS Special Use Permit required
  • Piping Plover nesting blackout: April–August absolute ban
  • Wild horse research: NPS + Wild Horse Act coordination
  • Virginia district: USFWS Chincoteague NWR coordination required Submit requests to: Assateague Island NS Superintendent, 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811
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Rule sources
  • https://www.nps.gov/asis/planyourvisit/unmanned-aircraft.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations within Assateague Island National Seashore. ESA Section 9 Piping Plover nesting beach protections, Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act Chincoteague pony herd, and MBTA colonial waterbird restrictions add multi-layer seasonal absolute bans.
Parent Rule Pages