REGULATIONS / CA
Canada: drone rules for inspection
Canada's CARs Part IX requires registration of drones from 250 g to 150 kg, and a major amendment took effect on 4 November 2025. With a Level 1 Complex certificate and an RPAS Operator Certificate, lower-risk BVLOS in uncontrolled airspace away from populated areas no longer needs an SFOC. The new 'sheltered operations' allow flight within 61 m horizontally and 30 m above a structure, which fits building and tower inspection directly. No Remote ID mandate could be confirmed.
Checked against official sources
Fields are recorded in the language of the research notes.
| Authority | カナダ運輸省 (Transport Canada) / Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) |
| Main framework | Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Part IX – Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (amended; BVLOS amendments in force 4 Nov 2025). |
| Registration | Drones from 250 g up to 150 kg must be registered (threshold from prior knowledge; not stated on the page read). Registration fee rose to CAD 10 from 1 April 2025. |
| Remote ID | No Remote ID mandate was found on the 2025 summary page; unverified. |
| Pilot licensing | Basic and Advanced pilot certificates (small drones), plus the new Level 1 Complex certificate (exam from 1 April 2025; age 18+, Advanced + Level 1 Complex exam, at least 20 h ground school, flight review; CAD 50 exam + CAD 125 certificate). Lower-risk BVLOS operators also need an RPAS Operator Certificate (RPOC). |
| Risk categories | Basic, Advanced, Level 1 Complex (lower-risk BVLOS, medium drones), and operations requiring a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC), e.g. higher-risk BVLOS. |
| BVLOS | Since 4 Nov 2025, lower-risk BVLOS is allowed without SFOC for Level 1 Complex pilots under an RPOC: uncontrolled airspace, below 122 m (400 ft), away from aerodromes; small and medium drones ≥1 km from populated areas, while small drones (<25 kg) may also fly over sparsely populated areas. EVLOS (≤2 NM / 3.6 km with trained visual observer) also allowed. Other BVLOS still needs an SFOC (with fees). |
| Night & over people | Advanced certificate holders may fly closer to/over people with compliant drones; night flight is allowed with lighting requirements (both from prior knowledge, not re-verified on the page read). Sheltered and EVLOS operations require >30 m from uninvolved people. |
| Near structures | New 'sheltered operations' (from 4 Nov 2025, Advanced pilots, small drones): stay within 61 m (200 ft) horizontally of a structure, no more than 30 m (100 ft) above it, and >30 m from uninvolved people – directly relevant to building, tower and bridge inspection. |
| Indoor & confined | Indoor flights are generally outside CARs Part IX airspace rules (prior knowledge; unverified this session). |
| Imaging & privacy | Privacy is governed by federal/provincial privacy law (PIPEDA, provincial acts) and the Criminal Code; not reviewed in detail. |
| Recent changes | 2025-04-01: Level 1 Complex exam, RPOC applications via Drone Management Portal, registration fee CAD 10. 2025-11-04: lower-risk BVLOS, EVLOS, sheltered operations and VLOS medium drones (25-150 kg) take effect; SFOC fees apply. |
Sources
- Transport Canada – 2025 Summary of changes to Canada's drone regulationsFull text read
- Transport Canada – Learn the rules before you fly your droneFull text read
- Miller Thomson – Navigating Canada's new legal landscape for dronesSearch snippet only
Sources checked: 2026-10-22