It is strictly regulated.
Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) and the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) jointly govern drone operations, requiring explicit consent from private property owners before flying over their land. Violations risk fines up to NT$200,000 (≈US$6,500) under the Civil Aviation Act and Unmanned Aircraft Management Regulations, effective since 2019. The 2026 amendments further tighten enforcement, mandating geofencing compliance and real-time tracking for drones exceeding 250g.
Key Regulations for Flying Drones Over Private Property in Taiwan
- Prior Consent Mandate: Operators must obtain written permission from property owners before flying within 50 meters horizontally or 120 meters vertically of private land, per CAA Unmanned Aircraft Operation Standards (2023 revision).
- Altitude and Proximity Limits: Drones may not exceed 120 meters above ground level (AGL) without special approval, and flights over residential zones require additional MOI clearance if noise exceeds 60 dB.
- Data Protection Compliance: Capturing images or videos of private property without consent violates the Personal Data Protection Act, triggering penalties up to NT$20 million (≈US$650,000) for commercial misuse.