FAA Part 107 is the federal regulation governing all commercial drone operations in the United States, including drone-based building cleaning. It requires operators to hold a Remote Pilot Certificate, fly below 400 feet AGL, maintain visual line of sight, and operate during daylight or civil twilight with proper lighting.
Key Takeaways
- All commercial drone cleaning operators must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
- Drones must fly below 400 feet AGL and within visual line of sight
- Buildings near airports need additional LAANC authorization before work begins
- Property managers should verify Part 107 certification and $1M+ liability insurance
- Government facilities require NDAA-compliant drone hardware
What Does FAA Part 107 Require?
Every commercial drone cleaning operator in the U.S. must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate under FAA Part 107. Getting certified requires passing an aeronautical knowledge test and a TSA background check.
Part 107 also sets operational limits: drones must fly below 400 feet AGL, stay within visual line of sight of the operator, and only operate during daylight hours or civil twilight with anti-collision lighting. Flying in restricted airspace requires separate authorization.
What Should Property Managers Verify Before Hiring?
Before hiring any drone cleaning service, property managers should check three things: current FAA Part 107 certification for all pilots on the job, adequate liability insurance (at least $1M is the industry standard), and compliance with local noise and privacy ordinances.
For government facilities, additional requirements apply. These include NDAA compliance for drone hardware and enhanced background checks for operators working on or near sensitive sites.
How Does Airspace Affect Drone Cleaning?
Buildings near airports, heliports, or in controlled airspace need additional FAA authorization — either through LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) or a Part 107 waiver — before drone operations can start. A reputable drone cleaning company handles all of this as part of their service.
WashLabs obtains all necessary airspace authorizations before every job and maintains current LAANC authorization for operations throughout the Philadelphia tri-state area.