Can I use the Almanac data in my own app, site or club newsletter?

Yes. The data is licensed CC BY 4.0, so you can copy, share and build on it, commercially too, as long as you credit “LuckyFind Almanac (getluckyfind.com)” and link to this page. Quoted passages from laws and agency pages stay under their publishers’ own terms.

Each rule carries its own checked_on date, and the newest check in this release is October 7, 2026. Rules change, so treat a date as the day we read the source, and confirm the current rule with the land manager before you go.

Is this legal advice?

No. It is general information for detectorists, sourced from official texts. Individual parks, towns and landowners can set their own rules, so when in doubt, ask the land manager first.

Metal Detecting Laws Open Data (CSV & JSON)

Name: LuckyFind Almanac: metal detecting rules
Creator: LuckyFind Almanac
Published: 2026-10-07
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Every rule behind our state, province, nation and country guides, in one free download: 712 rules across 86 places in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and Sweden. Each one names the land, the activity and the verdict, and 613 of them carry the official text word for word, with the section number and a link to the source. Use it in your club newsletter, your app or your research. Just give the Almanac a credit.

Download

One row per rule. The CSV opens in any spreadsheet; the JSON keeps conditions and sources as lists and adds the license and field notes up top. UTF-8 throughout, and the CSVs start with a byte-order mark, so Excel keeps Quebec’s French accents intact.

Free to use, with credit. The Almanac data is licensed Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0): share it, remix it, build an app on it, even commercially. Just credit it like this, with a link to this page:

LuckyFind Almanac (getluckyfind.com)

The license covers our compilation, summaries and structure. Quoted passages from statutes, regulations and agency pages remain under their publishers’ own terms.

What’s inside

Only places with a published guide are included, so the data always matches the pages. Rules without a confirmed source are still in, honestly labeled: check the confidence and status columns before you rely on one.

United States320 rules50 states
With a verbatim quote
264
Canada116 rules13 provinces and territories + country-wide rules
With a verbatim quote
82
United Kingdom45 rules4 nations + country-wide rules
With a verbatim quote
45
Australia79 rules8 states and territories + country-wide rules
With a verbatim quote
71
Austria8 rulesOne national rulebook
With a verbatim quote
8
Belgium17 rulesOne national rulebook + 3 regions
With a verbatim quote
16
France8 rulesOne national rulebook
With a verbatim quote
8
Germany57 rulesOne national rulebook + 16 regions
With a verbatim quote
57
Ireland12 rulesOne national rulebook
With a verbatim quote
12
Italy8 rulesOne national rulebook
With a verbatim quote
8
Netherlands10 rulesOne national rulebook
With a verbatim quote
10
Poland8 rulesOne national rulebook
With a verbatim quote
8
Romania8 rulesOne national rulebook
With a verbatim quote
8
Spain8 rulesOne national rulebook
With a verbatim quote
8
Sweden8 rulesOne national rulebook
With a verbatim quote
8
All together712 rules86 places in 15 countries
With a verbatim quote
613

How we verify

Official sources first. Statutes, regulations and the land manager’s own pages. A mirror (such as a law-library copy) is used only when the official copy can’t be read, and it is listed as such.
Word for word, with a section number. A rule is marked primary only once someone has read the official text and quoted its operative words (60 words or fewer) with the section, paragraph or page they came from.
Dated, and logged. Every rule carries the date its source was read. Every check goes in a log, including the ones that proved our earlier pages wrong (see below).
“Not yet confirmed” beats a guess. When no official source answers, the status is unknown or the confidence is unverified, and the pages say so instead of filling the gap. Disagreements between sources are recorded, not smoothed over.

Field dictionary

The same 16 columns in every file, in this order.

country: Country code (ISO 3166-1): US, CA (Canada), GB (United Kingdom), AU (Australia), AT (Austria), BE (Belgium), FR (France), DE (Germany), IE (Ireland), IT (Italy), NL (Netherlands), PL (Poland), RO (Romania), ES (Spain) or SE (Sweden).e.g. US
jurisdiction_id: Our id for the state, province, territory or nation: us- or ca- plus the postal code, gb- plus the ISO 3166-2 code, au- plus the state code. ca, gb and au hold the country-wide rules (Parks Canada, UK-wide duties, Commonwealth places) shown on every page in that country. A country with one national rulebook uses its lower-case country code (at for Austria, be for Belgium, fr for France, de for Germany, ie for Ireland, it for Italy, nl for Netherlands, pl for Poland, ro for Romania, es for Spain and se for Sweden), and its regions add the ISO 3166-2 code (be-vlg for Flanders); a region's rules show on its country's page.e.g. us-oh
jurisdiction: Its name.e.g. Ohio
land: The kind of land the rule covers (values below).e.g. state_parks
activity: What the rule is about: detect (using a detector), dig (disturbing the ground), keep (keeping finds) or report (duties to report finds).e.g. detect
status: The verdict (values below). unknown means no official source answers yet; it is never a verdict.e.g. designated_areas
summary: One or two plain-English sentences a detectorist can act on.e.g. Ohio Admin. Code 1501:46-7-08 allows detecting in sand beach areas…
conditions: Limits, exceptions and who to ask. A list in JSON; joined with | in CSV.e.g. sand beach areas | mowed areas, except…
quote_text: The rule’s own words, verbatim, 60 words or fewer (“…” marks a gap). Empty until someone has read the official text.e.g. It is permitted to use a metal detector…
quote_locator: Where the quote sits, as the document labels it: section, rule, paragraph or page.e.g. OAC 1501:46-7-08, first paragraph
quote_source_title: The document the quote comes from.e.g. Ohio Admin. Code 1501:46-7-08 (metal detectors)
quote_source_url: Its address.e.g. https://codes.ohio.gov/…
source_urls: Every source the rule cites. A list in JSON; joined with | in CSV.e.g. https://codes.ohio.gov/…
confidence: primary: read in the official text and quoted. secondary: from a reputable summary; the official text was not read. unverified: carried over from our earlier guides and not yet checked.e.g. primary
checked_on: The date someone last read the source for this rule (YYYY-MM-DD). Empty if never.e.g. 2026-10-05
page_url: Our guide page for the jurisdiction, where the rule is shown.e.g. https://getluckyfind.com/guides/metal-detecting-laws/ohio/

Status values

allowed · Allowed: Permitted without a permit in the normal case.
designated_areas · Designated areas: Permitted without a permit in listed or posted areas across the system.
designated_beaches · Designated beaches: Permitted only on designated beach or swim areas, no permit.
permit · Permit required: Permitted with a permit, registration or written permission.
varies · Varies by site: Set unit by unit or town by town; the rule says who decides.
lost_item_only · Lost items only: Only to recover a specific lost personal item.
research_only · Research permits only: Only under an archaeological or research permit.
prohibited · Prohibited: Not permitted.
unknown · No verdict yet: Not yet confirmed: no official source we have read answers it.
required · Must be reported: Reporting rows only: a legal duty to report or hand in finds; the conditions say what, to whom and how fast.

Land values

state_parks: State parks (US); provincial and territorial parks (Canada); national parks and reserves run by the state or territory (Australia); national parks and nature reserves (countries with one national rulebook)
state_land: Other state land in the US: forests, wildlife areas, submerged land
crown_land: Crown land outside parks: provincial and territorial (Canada); state forests and other Crown land, including prospecting and fossicking permits (Australia)
beaches: Beaches; in the UK and the countries with one national rulebook, beaches and foreshore
local_parks: City and county parks; municipal or council parks
lakes_rivers: Lakes, rivers and canals
private: Private land
federal: Other federal land (US, Canada); Ministry of Defence and Crown land (UK); shipwrecks and other Commonwealth matters (Australia)
federal_nps: US National Park Service land
federal_usfs: US national forests
federal_pc: Parks Canada places: national parks, historic sites, marine conservation areas
federal_pa: Parks Australia places, such as Kakadu, Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Booderee
scheduled_monuments: Scheduled monuments and other protected heritage sites (UK); monuments and archaeological sites protected by national law (countries with one national rulebook)
heritage_charity: National Trust and other heritage-charity land (UK)
public_forest: Public forests (UK); state and public forests (countries with one national rulebook)
all_land: Heritage and finds law that applies on every kind of land (Canada, UK, Australia; the national law, or a region's, for countries with one national rulebook)
local_federal: Older combined row: local and federal land, not yet split
public_land_lakes: Older combined row: public land and lakes, not yet split

What changed

The latest 40 times a check corrected a rule, or found that an official source disagrees with what we had published. Newest first; each links to the page it changed.

Oct 7, 2026ArkansasDisputed
The public land and lakes detecting rule from “permit required” to “varies by site” (disputed) on 22 CAR §50-111(a) and 36 CFR 327.14(d) (new a source).
Public land & lakes · detecting
Oct 7, 2026ConnecticutDisputed
The local and federal land detecting rule from “designated beaches” to “varies by site” on federal sources (new sources).
Local & federal · detecting
Oct 7, 2026DelawareDisputed
The local and federal land detecting rule from “designated beaches” to “varies by site” on federal sources (new a source).
Local & federal · detecting
Oct 7, 2026GeorgiaDisputed
The local and federal land detecting rule from “permit required” to “varies by site” (disputed), confirmed on the Macon-Bibb guidelines (new a source) and the Acworth FAQ plus its scanned Army Corps leaflet (new a source).
Local & federal · detecting
Oct 7, 2026IdahoDisputed
The local and federal land detecting rule confirmed as “varies by site” on City of Boise Parks and Recreation — Metal Detecting Permit (new a source).
Local & federal · detecting
Oct 7, 2026IdahoDisputed
The state land detecting rule from “prohibited” to “no verdict yet” (narrow-reading precedent): no detector rule in the sources read. Grade unaffected.
State & public land · detecting
Oct 7, 2026IllinoisDisputed
The local and federal land detecting rule from “prohibited” to “varies by site” (disputed), confirmed on the Winnebago County forest preserve rules (new a source).
Local & federal · detecting
Oct 7, 2026IndianaDisputed
Read 312 IAC 8-2-10 on the LII mirror (new a source): the state parks detecting rule confirmed (“designated beaches”; map color unchanged, maybe). The state land detecting rule from “prohibited” to “designated beaches” (disputed). The beaches detecting rule confirmed with 36 CFR 2.1(a)(7) (new a source). The local and federal land detecting rule confirmed as “varies by site” on South Bend and Elkhart County rules (new sources) and 36 CFR 327.14(d) (new a source).
State parks · detectingState & public land · detectingBeaches · detectingLocal & federal · detecting
Oct 7, 2026IowaDisputed
The state land detecting rule from “prohibited” to “no verdict yet” (narrow-reading precedent): no detector rule in the sources read. Grade unaffected.
State & public land · detecting
Oct 7, 2026KansasDisputed
Read K.A.R. 115-8-20 on the LII mirror (new a source; sos.ks.gov blocks fetchers). The state parks detecting rule confirmed as “permit required” (BC/Manitoba precedent; map color unchanged, maybe). The state land detecting rule from “prohibited” to “permit required” and the public land and lakes detecting rule from “designated beaches” to “permit required” (both disputed).
State parks · detectingState & public land · detectingPublic land & lakes · detecting
Oct 7, 2026KansasDisputed
The local and federal land detecting rule from “permit required” to “varies by site” (disputed) on the JCPRD Code of Regulations (new a source), 36 CFR 327.14(d) (new a source) and ARPA (new a source).
Local & federal · detecting
Oct 7, 2026LouisianaDisputed
The local and federal land detecting rule confirmed as “varies by site” on BREC (Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge) — Park Rules, 'Metal Detecting' (new a source).
Local & federal · detecting
Oct 7, 2026LouisianaDisputed
The state land detecting rule from “prohibited” to “no verdict yet” (narrow-reading precedent): no detector rule in the sources read. Grade unaffected.
State & public land · detecting
Oct 7, 2026MaineDisputed
The local and federal land detecting rule from “prohibited” to “varies by site” (disputed): NPS ban confirmed on 36 CFR 2.1(a)(7) (new a source). Municipal half unsourced.
Local & federal · detecting
Oct 7, 2026MaineDisputed
The state land detecting rule from “prohibited” to “no verdict yet” (narrow-reading precedent): no detector rule in the sources read. Grade unaffected.
State & public land · detecting
Oct 7, 2026MarylandDisputed
The state land detecting rule from “prohibited” to “research permits only” (disputed) on COMAR 08.07.01.18 and 08.03.02.18 (new sources).
State & public land · detecting
Oct 7, 2026MichiganDisputed
A second state land detecting rule ('Other public land') from “designated beaches” to “varies by site”, confirmed on the Huron-Clinton Metroparks FAQ (new a source). Oakland County Parks rules page unreachable. The state land detecting rule stays unknown.
State & public land · detecting
Oct 7, 2026MississippiDisputed
The local and federal land detecting rule from “permit required” to “varies by site” on federal sources (new a source).
Local & federal · detecting
Oct 7, 2026MissouriDisputed
The public land and lakes detecting rule confirmed for in-park shores on the re-fetched state-park rule (a source). Status from “designated beaches” to “permit required” (disputed). Outside-park shores remain unsourced.
Public land & lakes · detecting
Oct 7, 2026NevadaDisputed
The public land and lakes detecting rule confirmed for in-park shores on the re-fetched state-park rule (a source). Status from “varies by site” to “permit required” (disputed). Outside-park shores remain unsourced.
Public land & lakes · detecting
Oct 7, 2026New MexicoDisputed
The public land and lakes detecting rule confirmed for in-park shores on the re-fetched state-park rule (a source). Status from “prohibited” to “lost items only” (disputed). Outside-park shores remain unsourced.
Public land & lakes · detecting
Oct 7, 2026New MexicoDisputed
The local and federal land detecting rule from “permit required” to “varies by site” on federal sources (new sources).
Local & federal · detecting
Oct 7, 2026New YorkDisputed
The city and county parks detecting rule confirmed (permit) on the NYC Parks and Suffolk County pages (new sources). The state land detecting rule from “prohibited” to “no verdict yet” (disputed): 6 NYCRR §190.8 (new a source, LII mirror) names no detectors. Its (g) is the new the state land digging rule (permit).
City / county parks · detectingState & public land · detectingState & public land · digging
Oct 7, 2026North DakotaDisputed
The public land and lakes detecting rule confirmed for in-park shores on the re-fetched state-park rule (a source). Status from “prohibited” to “lost items only” (disputed). Outside-park shores remain unsourced.
Public land & lakes · detecting
Oct 7, 2026OklahomaDisputed
The public land and lakes detecting rule from “prohibited” to “varies by site” on federal sources (new a source).
Public land & lakes · detecting
Oct 7, 2026OklahomaDisputed
The local and federal land detecting rule confirmed on federal sources (new sources).
Local & federal · detecting
Oct 7, 2026South DakotaDisputed
The local and federal land detecting rule from “prohibited” to “varies by site” (disputed) on 36 CFR 2.1(a)(7) (new a source) and 36 CFR 327.14(d) (new a source). The Corps rule allows designated areas.
Local & federal · detecting
Oct 7, 2026TexasDisputed
The state parks detecting rule confirmed as “permit required” (map color unchanged, maybe). Added the state parks digging rule (permit, §59.134(l)(2)). Austin form found at its new address (a source moved). San Antonio guidelines added (a source). The city and county parks detecting rule from “permit required” to “varies by site” (disputed). The beaches detecting rule and the state land detecting rule stay unverified: no official source found.
State parks · detectingState parks · diggingCity / county parks · detectingBeaches · detecting
Oct 7, 2026WyomingCorrected
Official §14(a) (eff. 08/05/2026) replaces the stale LII §1-15(a) quote. Status permit kept. Flagged needs review.
State parks · diggingState parks · keeping finds
Oct 7, 2026Canada (federal)Corrected
“Varies by site” kept. Our summary now leads with 'assume no' (9 of 9 posted orders ban or permit-limit).
Parks Canada places · detecting
Oct 7, 2026AlbertaCorrected
Heritage-act rules moved to the all-land heritage section: they apply on public and private land.
All land: heritage law · diggingAll land: heritage law · keeping finds
Oct 7, 2026British ColumbiaCorrected
Heritage-act rules moved to the all-land heritage section: they apply on public and private land.
All land: heritage law · diggingAll land: heritage law · keeping finds
Oct 7, 2026British ColumbiaCorrected
From “no verdict yet” to “permit required” on the general dig/removal rule.
Provincial parks · detecting
Oct 7, 2026ManitobaCorrected
Heritage-act rules moved to the all-land heritage section: they apply on public and private land.
All land: heritage law · diggingAll land: heritage law · keeping findsAll land: heritage law · detecting
Oct 7, 2026ManitobaCorrected
From “no verdict yet” to “permit required” on the general dig/removal rule.
Provincial parks · detecting
Oct 7, 2026Prince Edward IslandCorrected
Beaches held at “no verdict yet” (volunteer Q&A is not a rule). Parks dig literal reading kept.
Beaches · detectingProvincial parks · digging
Oct 7, 2026SaskatchewanCorrected
Heritage-act rules moved to the all-land heritage section: they apply on public and private land.
All land: heritage law · diggingAll land: heritage law · keeping finds
Oct 7, 2026United KingdomCorrected
Removed a placeholder private land reporting rule: no single reporting duty covers all four nations (Treasure Act 1996 s.15(3): not Scotland), so treasure and finds reporting lives in each nation's page. Added genuinely UK-wide rules: the beaches and foreshore finds rule set to “prohibited” (wreck: Merchant Shipping Act 1995 ss.236, 241; Receiver of Wreck guidance), the all-land heritage digging rule set to “permit required” (Protection of Military Remains Act 1986; MoD aviation archaeology licence) and the Ministry of Defence and Crown land detecting rule set to “varies by site” (MoD byelaws; Templeton 2016 bans detecting equipment). UK hub page written.
Whole page
Oct 7, 2026EnglandCorrected
From “permit required” to “research permits only” on Historic England's s. 42 consent policy.
Scheduled monuments · detecting
Oct 7, 2026ScotlandCorrected
National Trust for Scotland FAQ read. “Research permits only” on the Trust's own words.
National Trust & heritage charities · detecting

Please read: this is general information for detectorists, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by park, town and agency. Each rule shows the date its source was read; always confirm the current rule with the land manager before you detect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Almanac data in my own app, site or club newsletter?: Yes. The data is licensed CC BY 4.0, so you can copy, share and build on it, commercially too, as long as you credit “LuckyFind Almanac (getluckyfind.com)” and link to this page. Quoted passages from laws and agency pages stay under their publishers’ own terms.

How current is it?: Each rule carries its own checked_on date, and the newest check in this release is October 7, 2026. Rules change, so treat a date as the day we read the source, and confirm the current rule with the land manager before you go.

Is this legal advice?: No. It is general information for detectorists, sourced from official texts. Individual parks, towns and landowners can set their own rules, so when in doubt, ask the land manager first.