FCC Update on Drones with LiDAR Obstacle Avoidance

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public comment on rules affecting foreign-produced drones and certain drone components that have been added to the FCC's Covered List.

Why might this matter to Realtors®? The FCC's definition of drone, or UAS (unmanned aircraft system), critical components includes sensors and cameras. This could be relevant to some professional drones used for real estate surveying and mapping, including drones equipped with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology.

LiDAR uses pulses of laser light to measure distances and create detailed representations of an environment. Similar technology is found in many consumer products, including some robot vacuums. In real estate, LiDAR-equipped drones may be useful for surveying or mapping large, uneven, heavily wooded or otherwise difficult-to-measure properties.

Importantly, the FCC does not classify every LiDAR-equipped drone as military grade, nor does the current action amount to a blanket prohibition on Realtors using drones they already own. The restrictions primarily concern FCC authorization of certain foreign-produced drones and drone components, which can affect whether new equipment may be imported or marketed in the United States.

The good news is that this development is unlikely to affect most Florida Realtors members. However, members who use professional drones for aerial surveying, mapping, or LiDAR applications should be aware of the issue and monitor future FCC guidance.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an exhaustive discussion of the issue or as legal advice.

For additional information:

FCC — Proposed Covered List Rules and UAS Critical Components (July 2026)

FCC — Current Covered List Update (July 7, 2026)

FCC — UAS and UAS Critical Components Fact Sheet

FCC — Covered List

FCC — UAS and UAS Critical Components FAQs
 

Maria Marchante is Associate General Counsel