This article provides general information. Any real project must be assessed against its site, intended use and the rules in force at the time of deployment.
Surveillance drones are not prohibited in principle
A drone can quickly inspect a roof, fence, distant entrance or alert zone. On a large estate or industrial facility, it may complement fixed cameras and a ground robot.
Legality does not depend solely on keeping the aircraft above private land. Airspace is regulated, and the camera may capture people or neighbouring properties.
The operator usually needs to register
FOCA registers operators, not individual drones. Exemptions include aircraft below 250 grams without personal-data sensors and aircraft below 250 grams officially classified as toys. A small camera drone therefore generally requires operator registration; class C0 alone does not establish toy status. For verification, see Drone flight rules (FOCA) and Registration as a drone operator (FOCA).
What is possible in the open category
The open category covers lower-risk operations meeting all its conditions. Maximum altitude is 120 metres, the drone may not fly over an assembly of people and it must remain within the remote pilot’s direct visual line of sight.
Visual line of sight limits automation
A programmed route is not necessarily prohibited if the pilot keeps the drone in direct view, monitors the airspace and can regain control. A drone launching while nobody can see it generally does not fit the open category.
Check geographical zones before every flight
The official drone map changes. Areas around aerodromes, heliports, reserves or infrastructure may be prohibited or require authorisation. Owning land inside a restricted zone does not confer an automatic right to fly.
When the specific category applies
Flights beyond visual line of sight, above 120 metres, with aircraft of 25 kilograms or more, or over assemblies of people fall outside the usual open-category framework. Check the applicable category and procedure with FOCA: generally a specific-category authorisation, or a declaration if all standard-scenario conditions are met. High-risk operations may require the certified category. For verification, see Introduction to the specific category (FOCA).
An automated patrol is an operating project
For beyond-visual-line-of-sight operation, the operator must demonstrate that the mission is safe, controlled and compliant. The scenario may require an authorisation or declaration, an operations manual and an emergency plan.
A drone station on a roof is therefore not merely an accessory. The complete system must manage weather, communications, navigation, obstacles, manual takeover and emergency landing.
Privacy remains applicable in the air
FOCA reminds operators that people outside the operation should not be photographed or filmed and that a drone should not fly low above another person’s private property. For verification, see Frequently asked questions about drones (FOCA).
Design a surveillance corridor
The route should focus on sensitive parts of the protected site and avoid windows, neighbouring gardens and public roads. Privacy masks, restrained zoom and camera activation only during an alert can reduce intrusion.
- Define the flight perimeter precisely.
- Check the official map before every mission.
- Inform people who may be recorded.
- Limit recording and access to footage.
- Provide immediate termination when emergency services intervene.
Insurance and responsibility
Third-party liability insurance of at least one million Swiss francs is required from 250 grams. FOCA also recommends cover for lighter aircraft.
A business should distinguish the operator from the remote pilot and assign responsibility for procedures, maintenance, training and incidents. Professional drone security needs governance, not only a capable aircraft.
Frequently asked questions
Can a drone fly automatically around a villa?
A programmed route may be possible if every condition of the relevant category is met. In the open category, the remote pilot must keep the drone in direct visual line of sight.
Must a drone below 250 grams be registered?
Generally yes for the operator of a small camera drone. Aircraft below 250 grams without personal-data sensors and officially classified toy drones below 250 grams are exempt.
May a drone record a neighbouring property?
No. Privacy must be respected, and both the route and camera orientation should avoid third-party properties.