Drone Altitude Limit Canada: The 122 m (400 ft) Rule Explained

In Canada, you may not fly a drone higher than 122 m (400 ft) above ground level, often written AGL. The limit comes from section 901.25 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations and applies to every drone pilot, recreational or commercial, Basic or Advanced.

The rule sounds simple, but most altitude mistakes happen because pilots misunderstand what is being measured. Your controller usually shows height above the take-off point, not height above the ground under the drone. Over flat fields those numbers match; over hills, cliffs, valleys and lakes they can be very different. This guide explains how to stay legal in real terrain.

What the regulation actually says

Section 901.25 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations says no pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft at an altitude greater than:

• 400 feet (122 m) AGL; or
• 100 feet (30 m) above any building or structure, if the drone is less than 200 feet (61 m) from it, measured horizontally.

The second subsection allows higher flights only under a Special Flight Operations Certificate issued under section 903.03. Our guide to the SFOC explains when Transport Canada grants one. Note that this altitude rule was not changed by the amendments that took effect on November 4, 2025: the wording dates from the 2019 rules, and the consolidated regulations confirm it as of October 2026.

The limit protects low-flying crewed aircraft. Helicopters, medevac flights, float planes, crop sprayers and aircraft on approach often fly a few hundred feet above the ground, and 122 m gives them a buffer. It is the same reason the topic shows up on the Basic exam.

How altitude is measured: AGL explained

Aviation uses two main references:

The legal limit is AGL, and AGL changes as the ground changes. If you hover at 100 m over a field and fly toward a 40 m hill, your AGL drops to 60 m as you pass over the crest. Fly off the other side, where the land falls away 80 m, and the same drone on the same screen reading is now 180 m AGL, well over the limit.

The building and structure exception

The structure provision lets you inspect or film a tall object without breaking the rule. If you stay within 61 m (200 ft) horizontally of a building, tower or other structure, you may climb up to 30 m (100 ft) above its top, even if that puts you above 122 m AGL.

Example: a communications tower is 140 m tall. Staying within 61 m of it, you may fly up to 170 m AGL. Move 70 m away and the ordinary 122 m limit applies again, so you must descend before you widen your distance.

Points to remember:

• The regulation does not limit this exception to one certificate category. In practice, though, tall structures sit in cities, near people and often inside controlled airspace, so most real-world uses are Advanced operations.
• Every other rule still applies: distance from people, airspace authorization, visual line of sight and your drone’s limits.
• The structure must actually be there. A tree line or a hillside is terrain, not a structure, and gives you no extra height.
• Know the structure’s real height. Plan using a published figure or a measured value, not a guess from the ground.

Hills, cliffs and valleys

Terrain is where good pilots get caught. A few common Canadian scenarios:

1. Launching from a lookout: you take off from an escarpment or mountain viewpoint and fly out over the valley. Your screen reads 50 m, but the valley floor is 150 m below, so you are 200 m AGL. Stay close to the ridge, or descend as you fly out.
2. Launching from a valley: you take off at a lake and fly up a slope. Your screen reads 120 m, but you might be only 30 m above the treetops. You are legal but at risk of hitting the hill, especially on return-to-home, which climbs to a set height based on the take-off point.
3. Coastal cliffs: in places like Cape Breton or the Gaspé, a short flight off a 60 m cliff adds 60 m to your AGL instantly.
4. Ski hills and rolling farmland: constant small changes add up. Keep a margin rather than flying at the limit.

A safe habit: set your maximum altitude well below 122 m when flying from high ground, and plan the flight on a topographic map so you know the lowest ground you will cross. Mountain winds also change quickly with height, as we explain in our guide to flying in wind.

How to read altitude on your controller

Most consumer drones use a barometric sensor plus GPS to estimate height above the take-off point. Here is how to use that number correctly:

1. Find the reference. Look for an “H” or “ALT” value on screen. Check your manual for whether it is height above the home point; it nearly always is.
2. Set a maximum altitude limit. Most apps let you cap the height. Many default to 120 m, which keeps you just under 122 m over flat ground. Lower it when you launch from high ground.
3. Check the return-to-home height. Set it high enough to clear obstacles but low enough to stay legal across the terrain you will cross.
4. Use the map with terrain in mind. Some apps show terrain or ASL data; treat it as a guide, not a guarantee, since elevation data and barometers both drift.
5. Watch for drift. Barometric readings can shift with temperature and weather, especially on long flights or in cold winters. Give yourself a buffer of several metres.

If your drone shows feet, remember: 400 ft = 122 m, 200 ft = 61 m and 100 ft = 30 m. Pick one unit and stick with it so you do not mix them up mid-flight.

What changes near controlled airspace

Controlled airspace has its own altitude rules on top of the 122 m cap. Around many airports, controlled airspace starts at the surface; elsewhere its floor might begin at 700 ft or 2,200 ft AGL, or at a fixed altitude ASL. Flying in controlled airspace requires an Advanced certificate and an authorization from NAV CANADA, usually requested through the NAV Drone app.

Key points:

• Your authorization sets the ceiling. NAV CANADA may approve less than 122 m, for example 30 m near an approach path. Respect the lower value.
• Charts use ASL. Airspace floors and ceilings are often given above sea level. Subtract the ground elevation to know how much room you have.
• Uncontrolled airspace is not empty. Helicopters and float planes fly low in Class G too. Keep listening and be ready to descend.

For the full process, read our guide to controlled airspace and NAV Drone authorization. Transport Canada’s where to fly your drone page also lists distances from airports and heliports.

Common altitude mistakes

• Trusting the screen over hills. The app number is relative to take-off, not to the ground below.
• Forgetting the far side of a ridge. Crossing a ridge line can add tens of metres of AGL in seconds.
• Using the structure exception in the wrong place. Drifting more than 61 m from the building while high, or treating trees and hills as structures.
• Ignoring a lower authorized altitude. A NAV CANADA authorization for 60 m means 60 m.
• Removing the app’s altitude cap. Some apps let you raise limits for advanced users. That does not change the law.
• Climbing to “get the shot”. Many stunning views come from 60 to 100 m. You rarely need the full limit.
• Not recording the plan. For Advanced work, noting terrain and planned altitude in your site survey helps you avoid surprises.

Exceeding the limit can lead to enforcement action. See our overview of drone fines and penalties for how Transport Canada handles violations.

Frequently asked questions

Is the limit 120 m or 122 m?

The regulation says 400 feet, which converts to 122 m. Many drone apps default to 120 m, which is slightly lower and therefore legal.

Does the 122 m limit apply to sub-250 g drones?

Microdrones are not covered by most of Part IX, but every pilot must still fly without endangering aviation or people. Staying under 122 m AGL is the sensible and expected practice, and it keeps you out of the way of low-flying aircraft.

Can I fly higher if I am next to a tall building?

Yes, up to 30 m (100 ft) above the building or structure, as long as you stay within 61 m (200 ft) of it horizontally. All other rules, including airspace authorization, still apply.

How do I get permission to fly above 122 m?

You need a Special Flight Operations Certificate from Transport Canada, which assesses the risk and sets conditions. Plan well ahead, because applications take time to process.

Is altitude measured from where I stand?

No. It is measured from the ground directly under the drone. Your standing position only matters because your controller uses the take-off point as its reference.

Stay under the limit with a margin

The 122 m rule is about protecting other aircraft, and it is measured from the ground below the drone, not from your feet. Plan with a map, set a sensible altitude cap, respect structure distances and lower authorized ceilings, and keep a buffer in hilly terrain. Add these checks to your pre-flight checklist and to your broader understanding of the Canada drone rules for 2026.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change: always check Transport Canada and local authorities before you fly.