Drones (unmanned aircraft systems or UAS) have become ubiquitous in our national airspace. With the growing popularity of these devices, the state of Texas and the City of Austin have had to draft drone laws to protect public safety and privacy.
Aerial vehicles offer exciting new opportunities for real estate businesses to supplement their property listings, websites, and marketing materials. Please note that Virtuance encourages strict adherence to all of the City of Austin’s laws and guidelines regarding UAS photography. Our professional photographers observe all laws and guidelines when operating drones for the purpose of real estate photography in Austin, Texas.
Austin Drone Laws
If you are interested in employing drones, you must be aware of the city’s drone photography laws. The City of Austin’s rules & regulations delineates two types of drones: recreational and commercial drones. In Austin, both recreational and commercial drones cannot be:
- Used to surveil private poverty
- Flown less than 400 feet above any “critical infrastructure facility.”
- Operated in any way that may endanger public safety (such as flying too close to people, power lines, or motor vehicles)
- Used in any way to impede law enforcement
- Flown in a Texas State Park (unless the operator has received permission)
- Operated in such a way that harms native wildlife (such as Austin’s bat population)
- Used without proper registration
As long as drone operators follow the above local laws and regulations, they should be free to operate their commercial or recreational drones in permitted airspaces.
Flying a Drone Near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Not all Austin airspaces are equally accessible for drone operators. If you are photographing near Austin’s airport, you may need special permission. Previously, Texas law stated that drone operators would have to contract air traffic control themselves before flying any UAS within five miles of Austin-Bergstrom. However, these regulations have become much more straightforward: drone operators can now send their requests to pass through class B, C, D, or E-controlled airspace through an automated system (LAANC).
Best Places to Fly a Drone in Austin
Austin is a beautiful city with rich culture and varied architecture. Though Austinites often complain of the heat, the year-round sunshine lends itself to beautiful drone photography any month of the year. As a result, if you are searching for places to fly a drone to photograph or record videos, it is best to fly in Class G uncontrolled airspace. Flying a drone in these airspaces will eliminate the need to request special permissions.
Including high-quality, up-to-date drone photography in your marketing materials can help more potential buyers and renters find your real estate business. We recommend the following places to photograph iconic Austin neighborhoods, landscapes, and landmarks to incorporate in your website or marketing materials:
- Arca Field
- Pennybacker Bridge Overlook
- Miruna Park
- Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt
- Sand Beach Park
Benefits of Real Estate Drone Photography in Austin
Should you incorporate drone photography in your real estate business? Some of the benefits of taking real estate photography with UAS include:
- Low elevated shots
Drones can take quality photos from many unique angles, including low elevated shots. These shots give prospective buyers a more accurate view of the property.
- Real-time tours
Did you know that drones aren’t just used for taking photos but for recording video as well? Realtors can conduct home tours remotely or record detailed walkthroughs for their websites using drone video.
- Cost-effective
If you are beginning your real estate business, your budget may be limited. Hiring professional real estate photographers can give you substantial ROI.
- Showcase both home and the entire neighborhood
You can easily show potential renters and buyers the neighborhood surrounding your property using an aerial view. Aerial views help demonstrate a property’s proximity to local parks, highways, restaurants, shopping centers, or any other relevant locations.
Schedule Austin Aerial Photography Shoots Now
If you’re interested in using aerial photos or video for your next listing, check out our packages here.
