An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

Excellent question. This is a common concern, and the answer involves a mix of federal regulations, safety considerations, and practical realities.

Here’s a breakdown of how low a helicopter can legally and typically fly over your house in the United States, governed primarily by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The Basic FAA Rule (Part 91.119)

The foundational regulation is FAR 91.119. It establishes minimum safe altitudes, but it has specific allowances for helicopters:

1. Over Congested Areas (Cities, Towns, Suburbs):

   • Fixed-Wing Aircraft: Must fly at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a 2,000-foot radius.
   • Helicopters: Can operate below this minimum if they do so without hazard to persons or property on the ground. They must also be able to make an emergency landing in case of a power failure. There is no specific hard floor (like 500 feet) in congested areas, but pilots must always operate safely.

2. Over Non-Congested Areas (Open Country, Sparsely Populated):

   • Both aircraft and helicopters must stay at least 500 feet above the surface, except during takeoff or landing.

3. The “Helicopter Exception”:

   • The key phrase is that helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed “if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface.“
   • This means a helicopter could, in theory, fly very low over your house if necessary for a legitimate purpose and done safely. Examples include: