Searching for a lost pet with a drone in Canada
In Canada the rules depend on weight, distance from people and airspace, not on why you fly. From 250 g you need registration and the Basic pilot certificate.
| Aviation authority | Transport Canada |
|---|---|
| Registration | Drones of 250 g to 25 kg must be registered and marked: $10. Microdrones under 250 g need no registration. Register. |
| Test or certificate | Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations (online exam, age 14 or over) for drones of 250 g to 25 kg. The Advanced certificate to fly closer to people or in controlled airspace. |
| Maximum height | 122 m (400 ft) above the ground. |
| Line of sight | In sight, yours or that of an observer in reliable contact with you. |
| Night flights | Allowed if the drone has lights, switched on, that let you or your observer see it. |
| No-fly zones | NAV Drone (NAV CANADA) |
| Controlled airspace | With the Basic certificate, stay in uncontrolled airspace, more than 5.6 km from certified airports. Controlled airspace needs the Advanced certificate and NAV CANADA authorisation through NAV Drone. |
What matters for a search in Canada
- National parks: no take-off or landing without the park superintendent's permission.
- Basic operations: stay more than 30 m horizontally from any person.
- Never fly inside the perimeter of an emergency operation or within 9.3 km of a wildfire.
Before every search flight
- Check the no-fly zones for the exact area in NAV Drone (NAV CANADA).
- Ask the landowner if you take off from private land.
- Keep the drone in sight and below the height limit, away from people, roads and buildings.
- Let the owner of the animal know you are flying, and where.
Official sources
- tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/learn-rules-you-fly-your-drone/flying-your-drone-safely-legally
- tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/registering-your-drone
- tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/learn-rules-you-fly-your-drone/drone-operation-categories-pilot-certificates
- tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/learn-rules-you-fly-your-drone/where-fly-your-drone
- laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/page-113.html
A summary to help you prepare a search, not legal advice. The official sources have the final word.
Reviewed on October 22, 2026.
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