{"name":"U.S. State Drone Law Dataset","publisher":"Drone Authority","url":"https://droneauthority.org/data/state-drone-laws","description":"Preemption posture, plain-language summary, key restrictions, and primary-source citations for drone law in all 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia.","license":{"name":"Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","attribution":"Drone Authority — https://droneauthority.org/laws","attributionHtml":"<a href=\"https://droneauthority.org/laws\">Drone Authority</a>"},"disclaimer":"Educational reference, not legal advice. Drone regulations change frequently and local (city/county) ordinances may apply in addition to state and federal rules. Verify against the linked primary sources and the FAA before every flight.","recordCount":51,"generatedAt":"2026-07-27","csv":"https://droneauthority.org/api/datasets/state-drone-laws?format=csv","records":[{"slug":"alabama","state":"Alabama","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Alabama. The state has enacted targeted drone restrictions (most notably around correctional facilities) but most everyday flying is governed by the federal floor plus local rules.","keyPoints":["Alabama has enacted targeted criminal restrictions on flying near state correctional facilities; keep well clear of prisons.","We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/alabama"},{"slug":"alaska","state":"Alaska","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Alaska. Alaska's enacted UAS law is focused mainly on law-enforcement authorization, records, notice, warrants, and image retention rather than a broad set of private-flight rules. Local launch rules, park-unit restrictions, and strict wildlife-use limits still need a separate check.","keyPoints":["Alaska's law-enforcement framework requires an authorized public purpose, trained personnel, flight records, public notice, and a warrant or listed exception for covered image collection.","The municipal provision in AS 29.35.146 concerns release of law-enforcement images. It is not broad statewide preemption of local private-UAS rules, so city and borough requirements still need review.","Managed-land rules vary by unit. Chugach State Park, for example, treats drones as aircraft and generally limits takeoff and landing to Bold Airstrip.","A drone may not be used to locate or spot game, relay hunting information, or otherwise assist a take. Alaska Fish and Game advises keeping drone activity separate from an active hunt.","State-park special-use permit conditions add operational limits for permitted work, including separation from people and wildlife and a ban on chasing or changing wildlife behavior."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Text/28?Hsid=HB0255Z","additionalSources":[{"label":"Alaska HB 255 enrolled text: law-enforcement UAS use and image records","url":"https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Text/28?Hsid=HB0255Z"},{"label":"Alaska Department of Fish and Game: current hunting regulations","url":"https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildliferegulations.hunting"},{"label":"Alaska Department of Fish and Game: drone use and hunting","url":"https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&articles_id=908"},{"label":"Alaska State Parks: Chugach State Park access and aircraft rules","url":"https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/chugach/chugachindex.htm"},{"label":"Alaska State Parks: park regulations by unit","url":"https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/regstatu/chap20.htm"},{"label":"Alaska State Parks: special-use permit stipulations","url":"https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/permit/stipulations/supgenstips.pdf"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/alaska"},{"slug":"arizona","state":"Arizona","preemption":"preemption","preemptionMeaning":"State law expressly preempts local drone ordinances.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Arizona. Arizona currently preempts most city, town, and county drone rules, with exceptions including locally owned public aircraft and specified local-park takeoff and landing rules. State emergency-response, criminal-purpose critical-facility, intimate-privacy, and wildlife rules still apply.","keyPoints":["A.R.S. § 13-3729 currently voids most local UAS ownership and operation rules, but preserves listed exceptions, including specified model-aircraft takeoff and landing rules for local parks and preserves.","A.R.S. § 13-3729 prohibits interfering with police, fire, or emergency services. Its critical-facility provision applies when intentional photography or loitering supports a criminal offense; it is not a blanket stand-off rule for every flight.","A.R.S. § 13-3019 prohibits nonconsensual recording or viewing in listed intimate circumstances and places carrying a reasonable expectation of privacy.","Arizona wildlife rules prohibit using drones to take or help take wildlife and prohibit chasing, herding, concentrating, or otherwise harassing wildlife.","Arizona State Parks can close areas and require approval for commercial activity or photography. Confirm the individual park and obtain any filming or special-use authorization before a commercial launch."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03729.htm","additionalSources":[{"label":"Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-3729: UAS operation and state preemption","url":"https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03729.htm"},{"label":"Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-3019: surreptitious recording and viewing","url":"https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03019.htm"},{"label":"Arizona Administrative Code, Title 12, Chapter 4: wildlife rules","url":"https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_12/12-04.pdf"},{"label":"Arizona Administrative Code, Title 12, Chapter 8: state parks","url":"https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_12/12-08.pdf"},{"label":"Arizona State Parks: filming and photography permits","url":"https://azstateparks.com/press"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-20","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/arizona"},{"slug":"arkansas","state":"Arkansas","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Arkansas. The state has addressed drone privacy/surveillance and critical-infrastructure concerns. Most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus any local rules.","keyPoints":["Arkansas has addressed drone-related privacy/voyeurism and critical-infrastructure surveillance in statute.","We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/arkansas"},{"slug":"california","state":"California","preemption":"no-preemption","preemptionMeaning":"No statewide preemption; localities may add their own rules.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across California. No broad statewide UAS preemption was identified in the reviewed official sources, so city, county, launch-property, and state-land rules still require separate review. California also has a civil privacy statute, unit-specific State Park rules, and detailed wildlife and protected-area restrictions.","keyPoints":["California Civil Code § 1708.8 (the 'anti-paparazzi' law) creates civil liability for using a drone to capture images of someone engaged in a private/personal activity without consent.","No statewide preemption we could verify, so individual cities and counties may have their own drone ordinances (parks, launch sites, events). Check local rules in addition to federal rules.","California State Parks generally allow drones except where a District Superintendent has posted an order prohibiting them; many popular units are posted, so check the specific park.","California State Parks prohibits motorized equipment, including drones, in state wilderness areas, natural preserves, and cultural preserves.","Commercial drone work inside a California state park also requires park approval and may require filming or photography permits in addition to FAA compliance.","CDFW lands require a Special Use Permit. State wildlife rules also prohibit pursuing, driving, herding, taking, or intentionally harassing covered wildlife, and Fish and Game Code § 10501.5 sets special overflight floors above named refuges and islands."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1708.8.","additionalSources":[{"label":"California Civil Code § 1708.8 — invasion of privacy","url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1708.8."},{"label":"California State Parks — drones in state parks","url":"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29229"},{"label":"California Department of Fish and Wildlife — legal and responsible drone operations","url":"https://wildlife.ca.gov/Drones"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/california"},{"slug":"colorado","state":"Colorado","preemption":"no-preemption","preemptionMeaning":"No statewide preemption; localities may add their own rules.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Colorado. We found no broad statewide UAS preemption, so municipal, county, and launch-property rules remain important. Statewide restrictions focus on obstructing public-safety operations, intimate privacy, wildlife scouting, and operation only in designated areas on Colorado Parks and Wildlife property.","keyPoints":["No broad statewide preemption statute was found. A 2026 bill that would have limited local UAS regulation was postponed indefinitely, so check city, county, park, and property rules.","C.R.S. § 18-8-104 treats a drone as a potential obstacle when it obstructs a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical provider, rescue specialist, or volunteer.","C.R.S. § 18-7-801 prohibits knowingly observing or photographing another person's intimate parts without consent where that person reasonably expects privacy.","Colorado wildlife rules prohibit using a drone to look for, scout, or detect wildlife as an aid in hunting or taking wildlife.","Colorado Parks and Wildlife rules permit radio-controlled models, including drones, only in designated areas. Confirm the current designation and site postings before launch."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://leg.colorado.gov/laws/session-laws/HB18-1314/385/download","additionalSources":[{"label":"Colorado HB18-1314, Chapter 385: obstruction of public-safety operations","url":"https://leg.colorado.gov/laws/session-laws/HB18-1314/385/download"},{"label":"Colorado Secretary of State, 2 CCR 406-0: aids in taking wildlife","url":"https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?fileName=2+CCR+406-0&ruleVersionId=10329"},{"label":"Colorado Secretary of State, 2 CCR 405-1: parks and outdoor recreation lands","url":"https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?fileName=2+CCR+405-1&ruleVersionId=8810"},{"label":"Colorado Legislative Council: drone use and regulation in the public sector","url":"https://content.leg.colorado.gov/publications/drone-use-and-regulation-public-sector"},{"label":"Colorado SB26-024 status: proposed state and local UAS regulation","url":"https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB26-024"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-20","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/colorado"},{"slug":"connecticut","state":"Connecticut","preemption":"mixed","preemptionMeaning":"Partial or limited preemption (e.g. carve-outs for nuisance or privacy).","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Connecticut. The state has addressed drone regulation at the state level, including provisions affecting local authority and law-enforcement use. Confirm the current rules before flying.","keyPoints":["Connecticut has legislated on drones including law-enforcement use and the allocation of authority between the state and municipalities; verify the current posture.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying.","Privacy and trespass rules can apply on top of federal rules; varies by locality; verify with official sources."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/connecticut"},{"slug":"delaware","state":"Delaware","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Delaware. State-specific drone statutes are limited; most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus any local rules.","keyPoints":["We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","Delaware has addressed drone use over certain events, facilities, and emergency scenes; verify current restrictions.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/delaware"},{"slug":"district-of-columbia","state":"District of Columbia","preemption":"no-preemption","preemptionMeaning":"No statewide preemption; localities may add their own rules.","summary":"Washington, D.C. is special: nearly the entire city sits inside the FAA's Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) around the capital, where drone flight is effectively prohibited without specific authorization. Treat D.C. as a no-fly area by default.","keyPoints":["The entire District falls within the 15-mile Special Flight Rules Area / 30-mile cap around Washington, D.C.; the inner FRZ effectively bans drone flight without explicit federal authorization.","Do not fly in D.C. without confirming current FAA restrictions; penalties can be severe.","Verify with the FAA before any flight near the National Capital Region."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.faa.gov/uas/resources/community_engagement/no_drone_zone/dc","additionalSources":[{"label":"FAA — D.C. area prohibited and restricted airspace","url":"https://www.faa.gov/uas/resources/community_engagement/no_drone_zone/dc"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-16","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/district-of-columbia"},{"slug":"florida","state":"Florida","preemption":"mixed","preemptionMeaning":"Partial or limited preemption (e.g. carve-outs for nuisance or privacy).","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Florida. Florida law largely preempts local drone regulation but preserves local authority over specified conduct such as nuisance, voyeurism, harassment, reckless endangerment, and property damage. State law also addresses drone surveillance and protected facilities, while parks and wildlife rules remain separate launch-day checks.","keyPoints":["Florida's 'Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act' (§ 934.50) restricts using drones to record people or private property where there's a reasonable expectation of privacy.","Florida generally preempts local drone ordinances but allows localities to address nuisance, voyeurism, harassment, reckless endangerment, and property damage, so some local rules still apply.","Florida restricts certain operations over critical infrastructure and correctional facilities under § 330.411.","Florida State Parks prohibits launching or landing drones except in very rare circumstances; its FAQ says there are currently no guest-accessible landing facilities.","FWC rules prohibit shooting, attempting to shoot, or harassing any bird, fish, or other animal from aircraft unless specifically authorized by a federal or state license or permit. Florida's UAS Act separately addresses intentional drone contact with state wildlife-management lands when done to harass."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/934.50","additionalSources":[{"label":"Florida Statutes § 934.50 — drone searches and surveillance","url":"https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/934.50"},{"label":"Florida Statutes § 330.41 — state and local authority","url":"https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/330.41"},{"label":"Florida Statutes § 330.411 — prohibited operations","url":"https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/0330.411"},{"label":"Florida State Parks — drone FAQ","url":"https://www.floridastateparks.org/plan-your-visit/faqs?f%5B0%5D=question_type%3A86"},{"label":"Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — taking game","url":"https://myfwc.com/hunting/regulations/taking-game/"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/florida"},{"slug":"georgia","state":"Georgia","preemption":"preemption","preemptionMeaning":"State law expressly preempts local drone ordinances.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Georgia. Georgia broadly preempts local operational rules but preserves specified older ordinances, FAA-enforcement rules, and certain launch or landing controls on government property. State restrictions also cover ticketed events, places of incarceration, private-place surveillance, and state parks.","keyPoints":["O.C.G.A. § 6-1-4 generally preempts local UAS operational rules but preserves ordinances adopted by April 1, 2017, rules enforcing FAA restrictions, and certain launch or intentional-landing rules on government property.","Georgia generally prohibits UAS operation within 400 feet of or above a ticketed entertainment event, subject to consent, federal authorization, official-duty, utility, and other listed exceptions.","Effective July 1, 2026, O.C.G.A. § 42-5-18 restricts operation above places of incarceration and the use of drones for contraband delivery or criminal-purpose imaging, subject to listed exceptions.","O.C.G.A. § 16-11-62 prohibits device-assisted observation, photography, or recording of activities in a private place and out of public view without the required consent.","Georgia State Parks states that drone operation is prohibited. Occasional qualifying professional projects require an advance application and written Division Director approval."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://gov.georgia.gov/document/2026-signed-legislation/hb-1230/download","additionalSources":[{"label":"Georgia 2026 HB 1230: UAS event, incarceration, and preemption provisions","url":"https://gov.georgia.gov/document/2026-signed-legislation/hb-1230/download"},{"label":"Georgia 2025 HB 58: UAS law amendments","url":"https://gov.georgia.gov/document/2025-signed-legislation/hb-58/download"},{"label":"Georgia 2022 SB 539: privacy and surveillance law amendments","url":"https://gov.georgia.gov/document/2022-signed-legislation/sb-539/download"},{"label":"Georgia State Parks: park rules and drone policy","url":"https://gastateparks.org/ParkRules"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-20","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/georgia"},{"slug":"hawaii","state":"Hawaii","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Hawaii, while current state law adds criminal tiers for dangerous or abusive uncrewed-aircraft conduct, requires direct human operation, and creates a narrow dwelling-focused trespass rule. Hawaii State Parks separately prohibits drone use, launching, and landing, so legal airspace alone does not establish a legal launch site.","keyPoints":["Hawaii grades uncrewed-aircraft offenses by conduct and harm, including armed operation, manned-aircraft interference, prison contraband, identification-signal tampering, lighting obstruction, emergency-response interference, injury, property damage, and intoxicated operation.","HRS § 711-1124 states that an uncrewed aircraft shall be directly operated by a human operator at all times.","HRS § 711-1125 addresses intentional operation across another person's property within 50 feet of a dwelling to coerce, intimidate, or harass, and certain operation after actual notice to desist. Consent and otherwise lawful federally authorized operations are listed exceptions.","Hawaii State Parks prohibits the use, launching, or landing of drones or other aircraft.","Using a UAS on, in, or near state marine waters to take aquatic life requires a permit. The statute expressly allows simple reconnaissance.","No broad statewide preemption rule was identified in the reviewed sources. County, property, venue, and protected-area rules still need review."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0711/HRS_0711-.htm","additionalSources":[{"label":"Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 711: uncrewed-aircraft offenses","url":"https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0711/HRS_0711-.htm"},{"label":"HRS § 711-1121: first-degree uncrewed-aircraft offense","url":"https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0711/HRS_0711-1121.htm"},{"label":"HRS § 711-1122: second-degree uncrewed-aircraft offense","url":"https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0711/HRS_0711-1122.htm"},{"label":"HRS § 711-1123: third-degree uncrewed-aircraft offense","url":"https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0711/HRS_0711-1123.htm"},{"label":"HRS § 711-1124: direct human operation","url":"https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0711/HRS_0711-1124.htm"},{"label":"HRS § 711-1125: uncrewed-aircraft trespass","url":"https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0711/HRS_0711-1125.htm"},{"label":"Hawaii State Parks: park rules","url":"https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/park-rules/"},{"label":"HRS § 188-23.5: UAS use to take aquatic life","url":"https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol03_Ch0121-0200D/HRS0188/HRS_0188-0023_0005.htm"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/hawaii"},{"slug":"idaho","state":"Idaho","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Idaho. Idaho adds a consent-based surveillance and recording statute with important scope exclusions, plus strict rules separating drones from hunting and wildlife scouting. Idaho Fish and Game lands and individual state parks can also limit where a drone may launch or land.","keyPoints":["Idaho Code § 21-213 restricts intentionally surveilling or recording specifically targeted people and listed private property without written consent, and restricts recording an individual for public dissemination without written consent.","Section 21-213 excludes purely recreational model aircraft and rockets from its UAS definition and also excludes UAS used for mapping or resource management. Read the statute's scope before applying it to a particular operation.","Idaho wildlife law prohibits drone-assisted taking, game driving or molesting, airborne spot-and-relay activity, and same-day hunting based on aircraft location information.","From August 30 through December 31, current Idaho law restricts using drones to hunt or scout big game and game birds, with listed exceptions including certain predator work, livestock or crop protection, wounded-game retrieval, and trap monitoring.","On Idaho Fish and Game lands, aircraft, including UAS, generally may not launch or land outside public airstrips without authorization. Bruneau Dunes State Park separately confines drone use to a designated UAV area.","No broad statewide preemption rule was identified in the reviewed sources. Check local launch, landowner, and venue rules."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title21/T21CH2/SECT21-213/","additionalSources":[{"label":"Idaho Code § 21-213: restrictions on UAS use","url":"https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title21/T21CH2/SECT21-213/"},{"label":"Idaho Code § 36-1101: taking wildlife and drone restrictions","url":"https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title36/T36CH11/SECT36-1101/"},{"label":"Idaho Fish and Game: 2026 big-game seasons and rules","url":"https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/seasons-rules-big-game-2026.pdf"},{"label":"Idaho Fish and Game: public-use rules for department lands","url":"https://idfg.idaho.gov/visit/wma/public-use-rules"},{"label":"Idaho State Parks: Bruneau Dunes State Park drone area","url":"https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/state-park/bruneau-dunes-state-park/"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/idaho"},{"slug":"illinois","state":"Illinois","preemption":"mixed","preemptionMeaning":"Partial or limited preemption (e.g. carve-outs for nuisance or privacy).","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Illinois. Illinois makes UAS regulation an exclusive state power but preserves important exceptions for Chicago and reasonable rules over locally owned recreational and conservation property. State law also restricts wildlife disturbance, hunting and recovery use, intrusive recording, and law-enforcement surveillance.","keyPoints":["620 ILCS 5/42.1 generally preempts local UAS regulation, including home-rule regulation, but preserves Chicago ordinances and reasonable local rules over locally owned or leased public recreational and conservation property.","520 ILCS 5/2.33 prohibits using a drone to take, pursue, intentionally harass, or disturb protected wildlife. Illinois DNR also states that drones may not be used for hunting or game recovery.","720 ILCS 5/48-3 prohibits intentionally using a drone to interfere with another person's lawful hunting, trapping, or fishing.","720 ILCS 5/26-4 restricts nonconsensual recording in residences and protected private locations, including covered recordings made remotely from outside.","IDNR-managed sites require separate review. Aircraft landings generally require prior authorization, and individual parks such as Starved Rock and Matthiessen expressly prohibit drones."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext?DocName=062000050K42.1","additionalSources":[{"label":"Illinois 620 ILCS 5/42.1: state and local UAS regulation","url":"https://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext?DocName=062000050K42.1"},{"label":"Illinois 520 ILCS 5/2.33: wildlife prohibitions","url":"https://ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=1729&ChapterID=43"},{"label":"Illinois DNR: drone use for hunting and game recovery prohibited","url":"https://www.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/illinois/iisnewsattachments/27064-drone-use-for-hunting-prohibited-in-illinois-idnr-reminds-hunters.pdf"},{"label":"Illinois 720 ILCS 5/48-3: hunter or fisherman interference","url":"https://ilga.gov/documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/072000050K48-3.htm"},{"label":"Illinois 720 ILCS 5/26-4: unauthorized video recording","url":"https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/072000050K26-4.htm"},{"label":"Illinois Administrative Code 17 Part 110: public-use areas","url":"https://www.ilga.gov/agencies/JCAR/EntirePart?titlepart=01700110"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-20","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/illinois"},{"slug":"indiana","state":"Indiana","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Indiana, and we found no broad drone-specific state preemption provision in the current code titles reviewed. Indiana's clearest field rules concern operation from Department of Natural Resources property, drone-assisted hunting and recovery, and law-enforcement surveillance.","keyPoints":["No broad drone-specific state preemption provision was identified in the reviewed Indiana natural-resources, criminal, and local-government code titles. Check municipal and property rules for the exact site.","Indiana DNR generally prohibits launching, landing, or operating a drone from DNR property except at a designated site or under a DNR license.","During rulemaking, Indiana removed the word 'over' from its DNR rule to avoid presenting a land-management restriction as control of general airspace.","A drone may be used to locate a harvested deer under Indiana's recovery rule, but it may not be used to hunt or scout deer.","Indiana Code § 35-33-5-9 governs law-enforcement UAS searches and surveillance over private property, including warrant requirements and listed exceptions."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.in.gov/dnr/rules-and-regulations/drone-regulations","additionalSources":[{"label":"2026 Indiana Code, Title 14: Natural and Cultural Resources","url":"https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/14"},{"label":"2026 Indiana Code, Title 35: Criminal Law and Procedure","url":"https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/35"},{"label":"2026 Indiana Code, Title 36: Local Government","url":"https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/36"},{"label":"Indiana DNR: drone regulations on DNR property","url":"https://www.in.gov/dnr/rules-and-regulations/drone-regulations"},{"label":"Indiana Natural Resources Commission: January 2018 rulemaking minutes","url":"https://www.in.gov/nrc/files/nrc_jan_2018_minutes.pdf"},{"label":"Indiana DNR: white-tailed deer hunting and recovery","url":"https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/animals/white-tailed-deer/"},{"label":"Indiana 2024 Digest of Enactments: SB 189","url":"https://dev-web.iga.in.gov/publications/session_reference_doc/2024-Digests-of-Enactments.pdf"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/indiana"},{"slug":"iowa","state":"Iowa","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Iowa. Iowa has addressed law-enforcement drone use; most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus any local rules.","keyPoints":["Iowa has addressed law-enforcement use of drones (e.g., for traffic-law enforcement) in statute.","We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/iowa"},{"slug":"kansas","state":"Kansas","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Kansas. Kansas has addressed drone-related harassment/surveillance; most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus any local rules.","keyPoints":["Kansas has addressed using drones to commit harassment or capture images that violate privacy.","We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/kansas"},{"slug":"kentucky","state":"Kentucky","preemption":"preemption","preemptionMeaning":"State law expressly preempts local drone ordinances.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Kentucky. Kentucky is generally cited as a preemption state reserving drone regulation to the state, and it has addressed flights over critical infrastructure and privacy.","keyPoints":["State law preempts (overrides) most local drone ordinances, so you generally follow federal + state rules rather than a patchwork of city/county rules, but confirm, since carve-outs for nuisance, privacy, and trespass are common.","Kentucky has addressed drone flights over critical-infrastructure facilities and privacy concerns.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/kentucky"},{"slug":"louisiana","state":"Louisiana","preemption":"preemption","preemptionMeaning":"State law expressly preempts local drone ordinances.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Louisiana. Louisiana is generally cited as a preemption state reserving drone regulation to the state, and it restricts surveillance and flights over certain facilities.","keyPoints":["State law preempts (overrides) most local drone ordinances, so you generally follow federal + state rules rather than a patchwork of city/county rules, but confirm, since carve-outs for nuisance, privacy, and trespass are common.","Louisiana restricts drone use for unlawful surveillance and over certain targeted facilities (e.g., critical infrastructure, schools).","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/louisiana"},{"slug":"maine","state":"Maine","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Maine. Maine has addressed law-enforcement drone use; most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus any local rules.","keyPoints":["Maine has addressed standards for law-enforcement use of drones, including warrant considerations.","We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/maine"},{"slug":"maryland","state":"Maryland","preemption":"preemption","preemptionMeaning":"State law expressly preempts local drone ordinances.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Maryland. Maryland expressly reserves drone regulation to the state, while state-park access, correctional contraband, privacy, and wildlife-disturbance rules still require separate review.","keyPoints":["Maryland Code, Economic Development § 14-301 reserves regulation of unmanned aircraft systems to the state and preempts inconsistent county and municipal enactments.","Maryland State Parks directs operators to contact the individual Park Manager before flying; federal airspace compliance alone does not create launch access.","State-park rules prohibit frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife.","Maryland separately criminalizes listed contraband activity involving a drone near a place of confinement.","A proposed broad hunting and recovery rule remains pending. Do not treat the proposal as current authorization or a current statewide ban."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gec&enactments=false&section=14-301","additionalSources":[{"label":"Maryland Code § 14-301: state preemption","url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gec&enactments=false&section=14-301"},{"label":"Maryland State Parks: statewide park policies","url":"https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/statewide-maryland-park-policies.aspx"},{"label":"COMAR 08.07.06.13: wildlife in state parks","url":"https://regs.maryland.gov/us/md/exec/comar/08.07.06.13"},{"label":"COMAR 08.07.06.20: state-park conduct","url":"https://regs.maryland.gov/us/md/exec/comar/08.07.06.20"},{"label":"Maryland Code § 9-417.1: drone contraband near places of confinement","url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr&enactments=false&section=9-417.1"},{"label":"Maryland Code § 10-402: interception of communications","url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj&enactments=false&section=10-402"},{"label":"Maryland DNR: public-land regulations","url":"https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/regulations.aspx"},{"label":"Maryland Register: pending DNR wildlife proposals","url":"https://dsd.maryland.gov/MDRIssues/5315/Assembled.aspx"},{"label":"Maryland Register: proposed drone hunting and recovery rule","url":"https://dsd.maryland.gov/MDRIssues/5312/Assembled.aspx"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/maryland"},{"slug":"massachusetts","state":"Massachusetts","preemption":"no-preemption","preemptionMeaning":"No statewide preemption; localities may add their own rules.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Massachusetts, and we found no broad statewide drone preemption. Local ordinances and property-specific Department of Conservation and Recreation rules matter, while state law separately addresses dangerous low flight, secret intimate imaging, and aircraft-assisted hunting.","keyPoints":["No broad statewide drone preemption provision was identified. Check city, town, land-manager, and launch-property rules for the exact site.","Massachusetts law treats low flight as unlawful when it interferes with existing land or water use or is imminently dangerous to people or property.","Massachusetts prohibits specified secret intimate viewing, photography, and recording without consent.","DCR policy is property-specific: Ashland State Park requires a permit, while Middlesex Fells, Sudbury Reservoir, and Quabbin Reservoir publish drone prohibitions.","State hunting law prohibits hunting birds or mammals with an aircraft. No general public drone-recovery exception was identified in the cited law."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section46","additionalSources":[{"label":"Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 § 39: aeronautics powers","url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section39"},{"label":"Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 43B § 13: municipal powers","url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter43b/Section13"},{"label":"Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 § 35: aircraft definition","url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section35"},{"label":"Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 § 46: low flight and landing","url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section46"},{"label":"Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 272 § 105: secret sexual surveillance","url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter272/Section105"},{"label":"Massachusetts DCR: agency regulations","url":"https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dcr-agency-regulations"},{"label":"Massachusetts DCR: Ashland State Park drone permit notice","url":"https://www.mass.gov/locations/ashland-state-park"},{"label":"Massachusetts DCR: Middlesex Fells trail map and drone rule","url":"https://www.mass.gov/doc/middlesex-fells-reservation-trail-map/download"},{"label":"Massachusetts DCR: Sudbury Reservoir drone rule","url":"https://www.mass.gov/locations/sudbury-reservoir"},{"label":"Massachusetts DCR: Quabbin Park brochure and drone rule","url":"https://www.mass.gov/doc/quabbin-park-brochure/download"},{"label":"Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131 § 1: hunting definition","url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIX/Chapter131/Section1"},{"label":"Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131 § 65: aircraft-assisted hunting","url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIX/Chapter131/Section65"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/massachusetts"},{"slug":"michigan","state":"Michigan","preemption":"preemption","preemptionMeaning":"State law expressly preempts local drone ordinances.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Michigan. Michigan broadly preempts local UAS ownership and operation rules, but that does not create launch access or override DNR property conditions. State law also restricts interference with responders and protected facilities, harassment and privacy invasion, and unmanned hunting or fishing activity.","keyPoints":["MCL 259.305 generally bars political subdivisions from regulating UAS ownership or operation unless another statute expressly allows it, with narrow exceptions for local governmental use and commercial horse activity.","MCL 259.321 prohibits knowingly or intentionally interfering with police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, search-and-rescue personnel, and corrections officers.","MCL 259.322 prohibits intentional harassment, listed restraining-order violations, prohibited privacy invasion or recording, and specified conduct by registered sex offenders.","MCL 750.45a restricts intentional interference with key, correctional, or law-enforcement facilities and flight over federally designated fixed-site facilities, subject to a conditional commercial-operator exception.","Michigan DNR land-use orders restrict operation around listed cultural sites, viewing platforms, occupied beaches, campgrounds, restrooms, equestrian areas, and aerial rights-of-way. Commercial operation requires prior written DNR permission."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Home/Document?objectName=mcl-259-305","additionalSources":[{"label":"Michigan MCL 259.305: local UAS regulation and preemption","url":"https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Home/Document?objectName=mcl-259-305"},{"label":"Michigan MCL 259.321: interference with official duties","url":"https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Home/Document?objectName=mcl-259-321"},{"label":"Michigan MCL 259.322: harassment and privacy restrictions","url":"https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Home/Document?objectName=mcl-259-322"},{"label":"Michigan Penal Code Chapter 750, including key-facility UAS restrictions","url":"https://legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-chap750.pdf"},{"label":"Michigan wildlife conservation law, including unmanned-device restrictions","url":"https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-451-1994-III-2-1-WILDLIFE-CONSERVATION-401.pdf"},{"label":"Michigan DNR: state park rules and drone guidance","url":"https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/places/state-parks/rules"},{"label":"Michigan DNR land-use orders","url":"https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/Orders/Land-Use-Orders/LUOD.pdf"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-20","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/michigan"},{"slug":"minnesota","state":"Minnesota","preemption":"no-preemption","preemptionMeaning":"No statewide preemption; localities may add their own rules.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Minnesota, and state law expressly contemplates local drone ordinances rather than broadly preempting them. Minnesota also has distinct correctional-facility, state-park, wildlife-management-area, aquatic-management-area, and low-flight rules.","keyPoints":["Minn. Stat. § 360.012 expressly contemplates city and county drone ordinances and requires MnDOT review and notice steps. Check local rules for the exact site.","Flight is unlawful when it is so low that it interferes with existing land or water use or is imminently dangerous or damaging. Landing without owner consent is unlawful except for forced landings.","Knowingly flying over a state correctional facility or its controlled grounds without written consent is a misdemeanor; imaging or introducing items can raise the offense.","State parks primarily present a landing and permit issue, while Minnesota DNR publishes a direct no-overflight rule for wildlife management areas and separate operation limits for aquatic management areas.","Minnesota has not enacted a general drone-recovery authorization. A bill to authorize certified pilots to locate deceased big game remained proposed, not current law, on the review date."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/360.012","additionalSources":[{"label":"Minnesota Statutes § 360.012: local ordinances, flight, and landing","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/360.012"},{"label":"Minnesota Statutes § 243.552: correctional-facility UAS restrictions","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/243.552"},{"label":"Minnesota Statutes § 626.19: law-enforcement UAS use","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/626.19"},{"label":"Minnesota Rule 6100.2200: aircraft in state parks","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/6100.2200/"},{"label":"Minnesota DNR: state-park rules","url":"https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/rules.html"},{"label":"Minnesota DNR: wildlife management area rules","url":"https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/wmas/wma-rules.html"},{"label":"Minnesota Rule 6230.0250: aircraft and wildlife disturbance","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/6230.0250/"},{"label":"Minnesota Rule 6270.0200: aquatic management areas","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/6270.0200/"},{"label":"Minnesota Statutes § 97B.207: dog-assisted recovery","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/97B.207"},{"label":"Minnesota SF 741: official bill status","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025/0/SF/741/"},{"label":"Minnesota SF 741: introduced drone-recovery text","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025/0/SF/741/versions/0/"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/minnesota"},{"slug":"mississippi","state":"Mississippi","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Mississippi. Mississippi has addressed drone-related 'peeping tom'/surveillance offenses; most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus any local rules.","keyPoints":["Mississippi has addressed using drones to commit voyeurism/surveillance ('Peeping Tom') offenses.","We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/mississippi"},{"slug":"missouri","state":"Missouri","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Missouri, and we found no broad express state drone-preemption clause in the reviewed sources. Missouri's current rules address large open-air entertainment venues, critical infrastructure, correctional centers, managed lands, and tightly conditioned wildlife recovery.","keyPoints":["SB 1421 was signed July 9, 2026 with an emergency clause. It restricts operation below 400 feet AGL inside the property line of an open-air entertainment facility with capacity of at least 500 people.","The same enactment addresses listed critical infrastructure. Its commercial-operator exception is conditional and does not create blanket permission for every Part 107 flight.","Missouri § 217.850 restricts purposeful drone operation within 400 vertical feet over a covered correctional center's secure perimeter or physical contact with the facility.","Missouri State Parks and Department of Conservation land use different permission systems: state-park commercial imagery may require approval, while conservation-area operation requires a special-use permit.","Missouri permits drone-assisted recovery of wounded black bear, deer, elk, and turkey only under detailed conditions; it does not authorize wildlife harassment or ordinary drone-assisted hunting."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/pdf-bill/tat/SB1421.pdf","additionalSources":[{"label":"Missouri SB 1421: truly agreed and finally passed text","url":"https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/pdf-bill/tat/SB1421.pdf"},{"label":"Missouri SB 1421: official legislative actions","url":"https://www.senate.mo.gov/BillTracking/Bills/BillInformation?billId=8214&billPrefix=SB&billSuffix=1421&handler=Actions&year=2026"},{"label":"Missouri Revised Statutes § 217.850: correctional-center UAS restriction","url":"https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=217.850"},{"label":"Missouri State Parks: laws, regulations, and commercial activity","url":"https://mostateparks.com/page/laws-and-regulations"},{"label":"Missouri Department of Conservation: recreational drone flying","url":"https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/recreational-drone-flying"},{"label":"Missouri 3 CSR 10-7.410: drone-assisted wildlife recovery","url":"https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/AdRules/csr/current/3csr/3c10-7.pdf"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/missouri"},{"slug":"montana","state":"Montana","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Montana. Montana has addressed law-enforcement drone evidence/surveillance; most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus public-land and local rules.","keyPoints":["Montana has addressed admissibility/limits on law-enforcement drone surveillance.","We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/montana"},{"slug":"nebraska","state":"Nebraska","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Nebraska. State-specific drone statutes are limited; most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus any local rules.","keyPoints":["We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","Privacy and trespass rules can apply on top of federal rules; varies by locality; verify with official sources.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/nebraska"},{"slug":"nevada","state":"Nevada","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Nevada, and we found no express blanket state preemption of local drone rules in the reviewed sources. Nevada's UAS statutes address repeated low flights over private property, critical facilities, airports, reckless operation, and weaponized aircraft, while state parks and wildlife rules add separate field constraints.","keyPoints":["NRS 493.103 can support a civil trespass action after repeated operation below 250 feet over private property when the owner has provided the statutory notice.","NRS 493.109 restricts operation within 500 horizontal feet or 250 vertical feet of a critical facility and adds a five-mile-airport rule with statutory consent and FAA-authorization paths.","Nevada prohibits weaponized UAS and separately prohibits dangerous low flight, reckless operation, and hazardous dropping of objects.","Nevada State Parks prohibits drone operation unless the site is a designated area or the operator has a special-use permit.","From July 1 through the last day of February, Nevada wildlife rules prohibit using a drone or aircraft to locate or observe listed wildlife for hunting or trapping."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-493.html","additionalSources":[{"label":"Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 493: aircraft and UAS","url":"https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-493.html"},{"label":"Nevada State Parks: drone FAQ","url":"https://parks.nv.gov/about/frequently-asked-questions"},{"label":"Nevada State Parks: photography and special-use permits","url":"https://parks.nv.gov/fees/photography-permits"},{"label":"Nevada Administrative Code 503.148: aircraft and wildlife","url":"https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Legal/LawLibrary/NAC/NAC-503.html#NAC503Sec148"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/nevada"},{"slug":"new-hampshire","state":"New Hampshire","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout New Hampshire. New Hampshire has addressed drone use in hunting/fishing and law-enforcement use; most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus any local rules.","keyPoints":["New Hampshire restricts using drones in connection with hunting, fishing, or trapping.","We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/new-hampshire"},{"slug":"new-jersey","state":"New Jersey","preemption":"mixed","preemptionMeaning":"Partial or limited preemption (e.g. carve-outs for nuisance or privacy).","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across New Jersey. State law preempts county and municipal drone rules only when they conflict with P.L.2017, c.315, so consistent local rules can remain relevant. The same enactment addresses dangerous operation, correctional facilities, first responders, impairment, and wildlife use.","keyPoints":["N.J.S.A. 2C:40-29 preempts county or municipal drone enactments only when they conflict with P.L.2017, c.315. Check for consistent local rules.","Knowingly or intentionally operating a drone in a manner that endangers life or property is a disorderly-persons offense.","Unauthorized correctional-facility operation and interference with an actively responding first responder carry separate criminal exposure.","New Jersey prohibits operating while impaired or at a blood-alcohol concentration of at least 0.08 percent.","Using a drone to take or assist in taking wildlife is prohibited, as is using one to hinder another person's lawful taking of wildlife."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2016/PL17/315_.PDF","additionalSources":[{"label":"New Jersey P.L.2017, c.315: unmanned aircraft offenses and preemption","url":"https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2016/PL17/315_.PDF"},{"label":"New Jersey State Park Service Policy 2.38: unmanned aircraft","url":"https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/docs/dronepolicy.pdf"},{"label":"New Jersey State Park Service: special-use permit guidelines","url":"https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/docs/SUP%20Guidelines%20w.fillable%20ops%20plan%202022.pdf"},{"label":"New Jersey S 4145: introduced weaponized-UAS proposal","url":"https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2026/S4500/4145_I1.HTM"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/new-jersey"},{"slug":"new-mexico","state":"New Mexico","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout New Mexico. The current drone-specific state rule identified in this review is the Game and Fish restriction on wildlife harassment, spotting, and use of drone-derived location information for hunting. A broader 2026 criminal UAS bill remains pending and must not be treated as enacted law.","keyPoints":["New Mexico's official 2026 analysis of SB 136 states that the state did not then have a criminal statute regulating the broader drone-misuse conduct proposed in the bill. SB 136 remains pending, so its proposed stand-off and surveillance provisions are not current law.","No broad statewide UAS preemption rule was identified in the reviewed sources. Local, tribal, landowner, and managed-land rules still require a separate check.","19.31.10 NMAC prohibits using a drone to harass protected species or to spot or locate wildlife and relay that information.","Wildlife location information gained from a drone may not be used to hunt or assist another person in hunting at any time.","Commercial filming and photography in a New Mexico State Park require a permit application at least 30 days in advance.","The general State Parks visitor rules do not create blanket recreational drone permission. Confirm access and any special-use requirement with the exact park before launch."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title19/19.031.0010.html","additionalSources":[{"label":"New Mexico 19.31.10 NMAC: use of aircraft and drones for wildlife","url":"https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title19/19.031.0010.html"},{"label":"New Mexico 19.5.2 NMAC: state park visitor provisions","url":"https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title19/19.005.0002.html"},{"label":"New Mexico State Parks: commercial filming and photography","url":"https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/work-with-parks/filming-photography/"},{"label":"New Mexico 2026 agency analysis of pending SB 136","url":"https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/26%20Regular/AgencyAnalysis/SB0136_264.pdf"},{"label":"New Mexico Legislature: current status of SB 136","url":"https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legno=136&legtype=B&year=26"},{"label":"New Mexico SB 136: introduced bill text","url":"https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/26%20Regular/bills/senate/SB0136.HTML"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/new-mexico"},{"slug":"new-york","state":"New York","preemption":"no-preemption","preemptionMeaning":"No statewide preemption; localities may add their own rules.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across New York. No broad statewide UAS preemption was identified in the reviewed official sources, and local and land-manager rules are significant. New York City uses an NYPD permit system, State Parks requires prior written approval, and DEC land rules vary sharply by classification.","keyPoints":["No statewide preemption we could verify, so individual cities and counties may have their own drone ordinances (parks, launch sites, events). Check local rules in addition to federal rules.","New York City requires an NYPD permit to take off or land an FAA-registered, FAA-compliant drone, except at designated model-aircraft fields.","New York State Parks requires prior written approval through its UAS permit process to launch, land, or operate from property administered by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.","An NYPD permit may not be the only city approval: imaging flights can trigger community-board notice requirements, and other agencies may require separate permits.","DEC prohibits hobby and commercial drone use on Adirondack and Catskill wilderness, primitive, primitive-bicycle-corridor, and canoe lands. Hobby use is allowed on listed Wild Forest and State Forest classifications, while commercial use may require a temporary revocable permit.","DEC warns never to fly directly at or hover in front of wildlife. New York's definition of 'take' includes lesser acts such as disturbing, harrying, or worrying wildlife."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/services/law-enforcement/permits-uas-permits.page","additionalSources":[{"label":"NYPD — unmanned aircraft permits","url":"https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/services/law-enforcement/permits-uas-permits.page"},{"label":"New York State Parks — UAS permit procedure","url":"https://parks.ny.gov/sites/default/files/RegulatingUnmannedAircraftSystemsDronesModelAirplanesQuadCopters.pdf"},{"label":"New York DEC — drone use on DEC-managed lands","url":"https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/guidance-and-policy-documents/drone-use-on-dec-managed-lands"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/new-york"},{"slug":"north-carolina","state":"North Carolina","preemption":"no-preemption","preemptionMeaning":"No statewide preemption; localities may add their own rules.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across North Carolina, and we found no broad statewide UAS preemption. State law expressly requires consent to launch or recover from state or private property and permits local governments to regulate those actions on local-government property. Privacy, correctional-facility, wildfire, weapon, hunting, and state-park restrictions also apply.","keyPoints":["N.C.G.S. § 15A-300.2 requires consent to launch or recover from state or private property and allows local governments to regulate launch and recovery from their own property.","N.C.G.S. § 15A-300.1 restricts UAS surveillance of people, occupied dwellings and curtilage, and private real property without the required consent, along with certain photographs of individuals for public dissemination.","N.C.G.S. § 15A-300.3 creates a 500-foot horizontal and 250-foot vertical restriction around covered confinement and correctional facilities, subject to statutory exceptions.","N.C.G.S. § 15A-300.4 prohibits operation within 3,000 feet horizontally or vertically of a forest fire under Forest Service jurisdiction unless an exception or consent applies.","North Carolina State Parks prohibits drone takeoff and landing on park property except in limited circumstances under a Special Use Permit."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_15A/Article_16B.html","additionalSources":[{"label":"North Carolina Article 16B: UAS surveillance and operation restrictions","url":"https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_15A/Article_16B.html"},{"label":"North Carolina § 15A-300.2: launch and recovery sites","url":"https://www.ncleg.gov/enactedlegislation/statutes/pdf/bysection/chapter_15a/gs_15a-300.2.pdf"},{"label":"North Carolina § 14-401.24: weapons, hunting, and fishing","url":"https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_14/GS_14-401.24.html"},{"label":"North Carolina § 15A-300.3: correctional-facility restrictions","url":"https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_15a/GS_15A-300.3.pdf"},{"label":"North Carolina § 15A-300.4: forest-fire restrictions","url":"https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_15A/GS_15A-300.4.html"},{"label":"North Carolina State Parks: park rules and drone guidance","url":"https://www.ncparks.gov/about-us/guidelines-park-rules-and-regulations"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-20","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/north-carolina"},{"slug":"north-dakota","state":"North Dakota","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout North Dakota. North Dakota has addressed law-enforcement drone use; the state is also a hub for drone testing and integration. Everyday flying follows the federal floor plus any local rules.","keyPoints":["North Dakota has addressed law-enforcement use of drones, including warrant and weaponization provisions.","We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/north-dakota"},{"slug":"ohio","state":"Ohio","preemption":"no-preemption","preemptionMeaning":"No statewide preemption; localities may add their own rules.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Ohio, and we found no broad statewide UAS preemption. Ohio expressly permits listed local governments and park districts to regulate recreational UAS use on their public property, while statewide rules address unsafe flight, responder interference, criminal-purpose activity near critical facilities, wildlife use, privacy, and state-managed lands.","keyPoints":["Ohio Revised Code § 4561.52 allows municipalities, townships, counties, and park districts to regulate hobby or recreational UAS use in or above their parks and public property. No broad statewide preemption statute was found.","Ohio Revised Code §§ 4561.15 and 4561.51 prohibit unsafe operation and interference with on-duty police, fire, or emergency medical personnel.","Ohio's critical-facility provision applies to recording or loitering that furthers listed violent, threatening, destructive, or tampering offenses; it is not a blanket overflight ban.","Ohio wildlife rules prohibit using drones to hunt or take wildlife, with a narrow conditional post-take deer-recovery exception.","Ohio state parks, nature preserves, natural areas, and wildlife areas have distinct permission or designated-area requirements. Classify the property before launch."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4561.52","additionalSources":[{"label":"Ohio Revised Code § 4561.52: local UAS use and operation","url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4561.52"},{"label":"Ohio Revised Code § 4561.15: unsafe UAS operation","url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4561.15"},{"label":"Ohio Revised Code § 4561.51: UAS operation and prohibitions","url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4561.51"},{"label":"Ohio Administrative Code 1501:31-15-02: hunting and trapping","url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-1501%3A31-15-02"},{"label":"Ohio Revised Code § 2907.08: voyeurism","url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2907.08"},{"label":"Ohio Administrative Code 1501:46-13-11: aviation in state parks","url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-1501%3A46-13-11"},{"label":"Ohio Administrative Code 1501:17-11-03: preserves and natural areas","url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-1501%3A17-11-03"},{"label":"Ohio Administrative Code 1501:31-9-01: wildlife properties","url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-1501%3A31-9-01"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-20","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/ohio"},{"slug":"oklahoma","state":"Oklahoma","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Oklahoma. Oklahoma has addressed drone flights over critical infrastructure; most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus any local rules.","keyPoints":["Oklahoma restricts low-altitude drone flights over critical-infrastructure facilities.","We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/oklahoma"},{"slug":"oregon","state":"Oregon","preemption":"preemption","preemptionMeaning":"State law expressly preempts local drone ordinances.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Oregon. Oregon generally preempts local regulation of drone ownership and operation but preserves local authority over launch and landing in locally owned parks. State law separately addresses private-premises harassment, critical infrastructure, aircraft interference, managed lands, and drone-assisted hunting.","keyPoints":["ORS 837.385 generally preempts local drone ownership and operation rules, while ORS 837.387 preserves local authority to regulate takeoff and landing in locally owned parks.","ORS 837.370 addresses intentional drone harassment over private premises, ORS 837.372 restricts listed critical-infrastructure operation at or below 400 feet AGL, and ORS 837.374 prohibits reckless interference with aircraft.","OAR 736-010-0040 creates designated UAS operation areas and a special-use permit path on Oregon State Parks property.","On the July 26, 2026 review date, Oregon State Parks said parks and the ocean shore remained closed to recreational drone launch and landing unless permitted, with selected openings scheduled for August 8. Recheck the live operating page before launch.","Oregon prohibits using a drone for angling, hunting, or trapping, including locating, scouting, and harassing wildlife. No general public wounded-game recovery exception was identified."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors837.html","additionalSources":[{"label":"Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 837: unmanned aircraft systems","url":"https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors837.html"},{"label":"OAR 736-010-0040: UAS operation areas on state park property","url":"https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=322968"},{"label":"Oregon State Parks: current drone operation areas and dates","url":"https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=v.page&id=97"},{"label":"Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 498: wildlife and drone restrictions","url":"https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors498.html"},{"label":"Oregon Administrative Rules Division 65: wildlife rules","url":"https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=2955"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/oregon"},{"slug":"pennsylvania","state":"Pennsylvania","preemption":"preemption","preemptionMeaning":"State law expressly preempts local drone ordinances.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania broadly preempts municipal drone ownership and operation rules, but state agencies, launch-property managers, and private landowners still control access. State law also prohibits private-place surveillance, threatening operation, contraband activity, and unauthorized UAS activity on State Game Lands.","keyPoints":["53 Pa.C.S. § 305 broadly preempts municipal enactments regulating drone ownership or operation unless another statute expressly authorizes them. Municipalities may regulate their own governmental UAS use.","18 Pa.C.S. § 3505 prohibits intentionally or knowingly using a drone to surveil another person in a private place, place another person in reasonable fear of bodily injury, or deliver or transmit statutory contraband.","58 Pa. Code § 135.41 prohibits launching, operating, controlling, or retrieving a UAS on or from State Game Lands without written Game Commission authorization, subject to governmental emergency exceptions.","Pennsylvania DCNR permits routine recreational use only at designated flying sites within Beltzville, Benjamin Rush, Hillman, Lackawanna, Prompton, and Tuscarora state parks.","A named state park is not blanket permission. The operation must remain within that park's designated flying site and comply with current closures and postings."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/53/00.003..HTM","additionalSources":[{"label":"Pennsylvania 53 Pa.C.S. § 305: local UAS regulation preempted","url":"https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/53/00.003..HTM"},{"label":"Pennsylvania 18 Pa.C.S. § 3505: unlawful use of unmanned aircraft","url":"https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.035..HTM"},{"label":"Pennsylvania 58 Pa. Code § 135.41: State Game Lands","url":"https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=%2Fsecure%2Fpacode%2Fdata%2F058%2Fchapter135%2Fs135.41.html"},{"label":"Pennsylvania DCNR: UAS and drone use in state parks","url":"https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/rules-and-regulations/unmanned-aerial-systems-and-drones"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-20","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/pennsylvania"},{"slug":"rhode-island","state":"Rhode Island","preemption":"preemption","preemptionMeaning":"State law expressly preempts local drone ordinances.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Rhode Island. Rhode Island law reserves drone regulation to the state, preempting municipal drone ordinances, and directs state-level oversight of operations.","keyPoints":["State law preempts (overrides) most local drone ordinances, so you generally follow federal + state rules rather than a patchwork of city/county rules, but confirm, since carve-outs for nuisance, privacy, and trespass are common.","Rhode Island's framework places drone regulation at the state level rather than with individual municipalities.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/rhode-island"},{"slug":"south-carolina","state":"South Carolina","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout South Carolina, and current law does not yet contain the broad preemption framework enacted for 2027. Current rules restrict operation near correctional and detention facilities, while state parks, wildlife management areas, heritage preserves, and wildlife activity require separate review.","keyPoints":["Current §§ 24-1-300 and 24-5-175 restrict drone operation within 500 horizontal feet and 250 vertical feet of covered correctional and local detention facilities, subject to statutory exceptions.","Act 150 creates a broader framework, including local preemption and a 1,500-foot facility restriction, but it does not take effect until January 1, 2027. Do not apply those future provisions as current law.","South Carolina State Parks directs operators to contact the individual park rather than offering blanket statewide launch permission.","Heritage preserves and wildlife management areas prohibit drone launch and landing except for law-enforcement and emergency uses.","Current law prohibits intentional killing or attempted killing of wildlife from flight without the required permit. A proposed feral-hog drone bill is not current law."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t24c001.php","additionalSources":[{"label":"South Carolina Code § 24-1-300: correctional-facility UAS restriction","url":"https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t24c001.php"},{"label":"South Carolina Code § 24-5-175: local detention-facility UAS restriction","url":"https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t24c005.php"},{"label":"South Carolina Act 150: future UAS framework effective January 1, 2027","url":"https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4679.htm"},{"label":"South Carolina State Parks: drone FAQ","url":"https://southcarolinaparks.com/faqs"},{"label":"South Carolina DNR: heritage preserve and WMA regulations","url":"https://www.dnr.sc.gov/mlands/hpregulations.html"},{"label":"South Carolina Code § 55-3-110: taking wildlife from flight","url":"https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t55c003.php"},{"label":"South Carolina Code Title 50, Chapter 11: hunting and wildlife","url":"https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t50c011.php"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/south-carolina"},{"slug":"south-dakota","state":"South Dakota","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across South Dakota. South Dakota has addressed drone-related surveillance/trespass and flights over certain facilities; most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus any local rules.","keyPoints":["South Dakota has addressed using drones to commit surveillance and flights over military or correctional facilities.","We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/south-dakota"},{"slug":"tennessee","state":"Tennessee","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Tennessee, and the broad local-preemption language proposed in 2016 did not become law. Tennessee's current framework addresses surveillance and image capture, public schools, ticketed events, state-managed land, and wildlife use, with a deer-recovery rule scheduled to begin August 1, 2026.","keyPoints":["Tennessee's broad local-preemption proposal, SB 2634/HB 2607, did not become law. Check local and property rules rather than treating Tennessee as a blanket preemption state.","Tennessee regulates UAS surveillance and image capture, with listed lawful-use exceptions including property-holder consent and qualifying FAA-authorized commercial operations.","Knowingly using a UAS over public K-12 school grounds with intent to surveil without the specified permission is a Class C misdemeanor, subject to statutory exceptions.","Operation within 400 feet of or above a ticketed entertainment event is a Class A misdemeanor unless an enacted exception applies.","State parks and designated natural areas require operation entirely within an authorized flight zone or under a signed UAS flight permit. The rule states that it is a land-management rule, not regulation of the national airspace system.","On July 26, 2026, drone-assisted hunting and recovery remained prohibited. A tightly controlled recovery framework is scheduled to take effect August 1, 2026; recheck the live TWRA rule before relying on it."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HB1779&ga=108","additionalSources":[{"label":"Tennessee Public Chapter 876: UAS surveillance and image capture","url":"https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HB1779&ga=108"},{"label":"Tennessee Public Chapter 868: public-school UAS surveillance","url":"https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=SB2434&ga=114"},{"label":"Tennessee Public Chapter 918: ticketed entertainment events","url":"https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HB2368&ga=114"},{"label":"Tennessee Rule 0400-02-02-.33: state parks and natural areas","url":"https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0400/0400-02/0400-02-02.20210422.pdf"},{"label":"Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency: public hunting areas","url":"https://www.tn.gov/twra/hunting/public/hunting-areas.html"},{"label":"Tennessee 2025-26 hunting guide: current drone prohibition","url":"https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/twra/documents/guide/TN-Hunting-Guide.pdf"},{"label":"Tennessee Public Chapter 478: recovery rulemaking authority","url":"https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=SB0130&GA=114"},{"label":"Tennessee 2026-27 hunting guide: August 1 recovery framework","url":"https://comptroller.aem.tn.extglb.tn.gov/twra/guide.html"},{"label":"Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency: drone-recovery conditions","url":"https://comptroller.aem.tn.extglb.tn.gov/twra/hunting.html"},{"label":"Tennessee SB 2634: official bill status","url":"https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=SB2634&ga=109"},{"label":"Tennessee SB 2634: unenacted local-preemption proposal","url":"https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/109/Bill/SB2634.pdf"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/tennessee"},{"slug":"texas","state":"Texas","preemption":"preemption","preemptionMeaning":"State law expressly preempts local drone ordinances.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Texas. Government Code Chapter 423 contains the state's detailed imaging, protected-facility, and local-preemption framework. State Park access is narrow, and wildlife-related drone use requires an activity-specific Texas Parks and Wildlife permit.","keyPoints":["Texas Government Code Chapter 423 restricts using a drone to capture images of individuals or privately owned property with intent to conduct surveillance, with civil and criminal exposure.","State law preempts (overrides) most local drone ordinances, so you generally follow federal + state rules rather than a patchwork of city/county rules, but confirm, since carve-outs for nuisance, privacy, and trespass are common.","Texas restricts certain operations over critical-infrastructure facilities, correctional facilities, and sports venues under Government Code Chapter 423.","Texas State Parks allows drones only in a designated area at Martin Dies, Jr. State Park or through a filming permit requested from another park.","Using a drone to hunt, locate, recover, count, photograph, harass, or drive wildlife is prohibited without an activity-specific Texas Parks and Wildlife permit."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/gv/htm/gv.423.htm","additionalSources":[{"label":"Texas Government Code Chapter 423 — unmanned aircraft","url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.423.htm"},{"label":"Texas State Parks — park drone rules","url":"https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-information/rules/"},{"label":"Texas Parks and Wildlife — drones and wildlife","url":"https://tpwd.texas.gov/warden/law-enforcement-faq/drones-uavs/"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/texas"},{"slug":"utah","state":"Utah","preemption":"preemption","preemptionMeaning":"State law expressly preempts local drone ordinances.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Utah, and Utah broadly reserves UAS regulation to the state while preserving chapter-authorized rules and airport-operator control within airport boundaries. State law also adds operational limits, a qualifying commercial-UAS registration requirement, wildfire protections, law-enforcement data rules, and seasonal wildlife restrictions.","keyPoints":["Utah Code § 72-10-701 preempts political subdivisions from enacting or enforcing independent UAS laws, with exceptions for authority granted by the chapter and airport-operator rules within airport boundaries, including takeoff and landing.","Utah Code § 72-10-1002 requires visual line of sight, applicable controlled-airspace authorization, NOTAM compliance, and a normal ceiling of 400 feet above ground with a listed structure exception. It also restricts operation from the surface of critical infrastructure without prior authorization.","Beginning January 1, 2025, a qualifying commercial UAS operation that requires federal certification also requires a current Utah Department of Transportation certificate of registration.","Utah law prohibits flying in a wildfire TFR or a designated wildfire scene without the incident commander's permission.","State-park access is unit-specific. Echo State Park considers recreational special-use permits, while Goblin Valley uses a year-round permit system with seasonal, daily, and location limits.","Utah wildlife rules prohibit using a drone to take, harass, or drive protected wildlife and prohibit using a drone to locate or attempt to observe protected wildlife from July 31 through January 31.","Utah's law-enforcement UAS statute sets warrant and exception rules and limits use and retention of collected data."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title72/Chapter10/72-10-S701.html","additionalSources":[{"label":"Utah Code § 72-10-701: state preemption of UAS regulation","url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title72/Chapter10/72-10-S701.html"},{"label":"Utah Code § 72-10-1002: safe use of uncrewed aircraft","url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title72/Chapter10/72-10-S1002.html"},{"label":"Utah Code § 72-10-109: aircraft and qualifying commercial UAS registration","url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title72/Chapter10/72-10-S109.html"},{"label":"Utah Code § 72-10-802: law-enforcement UAS data collection and use","url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title72/Chapter10/72-10-S802.html?v=C72-10-S802_2023050320230503"},{"label":"Utah State Parks: Echo State Park drone permits","url":"https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/echo/drones-metal-detecting/"},{"label":"Utah State Parks: Goblin Valley drone permits and restrictions","url":"https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goblin-valley/drone/"},{"label":"Utah Admin. Rule R657-5: protected wildlife and drone restrictions","url":"https://wildlife.utah.gov/rules/r657-05"},{"label":"Utah Code § 65A-3-2.5: UAS near wildland fires","url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title65A/Chapter3/65A-3-S2.5.html"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/utah"},{"slug":"vermont","state":"Vermont","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Vermont. Vermont has addressed law-enforcement drone use; most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus any local rules.","keyPoints":["Vermont has addressed standards and limits for law-enforcement use of drones.","We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/vermont"},{"slug":"virginia","state":"Virginia","preemption":"preemption","preemptionMeaning":"State law expressly preempts local drone ordinances.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Virginia. Virginia broadly preempts local regulation of privately owned UAS but preserves local takeoff and landing rules on subdivision-owned property under state requirements. State law also restricts privacy invasion, harassment and notice-to-desist conduct, correctional and critical-infrastructure operations, wildlife use, and state-park access.","keyPoints":["Virginia Code § 15.2-926.3 bars local regulation of privately owned UAS while allowing takeoff and landing rules for locality-owned property, subject to Department of Aviation requirements and statutory protections.","Virginia Code § 18.2-130.1 prohibits knowingly and intentionally using a drone to secretly or furtively peep or spy into a dwelling or occupied building where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists.","Virginia Code § 18.2-121.3 restricts certain intentional operation within 50 feet of a dwelling to coerce, intimidate, or harass, or after actual notice to desist. It also addresses correctional-facility and critical-infrastructure conduct.","4VAC15-20-240 prohibits using drones to hunt, take, kill, drive, herd, or harass wildlife and restricts same-day hunting after drone-assisted wildlife location or surveillance.","Virginia's state-park aviation rule and DCR guidance restrict bringing, landing, descending, or flying drones in state parks. Treat an operation as requiring advance written authorization or a permit."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter9/section15.2-926.3/","additionalSources":[{"label":"Virginia Code § 15.2-926.3: local regulation of aircraft","url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter9/section15.2-926.3/"},{"label":"Virginia Code § 18.2-130.1: peeping or spying with a drone","url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter5/section18.2-130.1/"},{"label":"Virginia Code § 18.2-121.3: UAS trespass and protected facilities","url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter5/section18.2-121.3/"},{"label":"Virginia 4VAC15-20-240: prohibited wildlife uses","url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title4/agency15/chapter20/section240/"},{"label":"Virginia 4VAC5-30-400: aviation in state parks","url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title4/agency5/chapter30/section400/"},{"label":"Virginia DCR: state park rules and regulations","url":"https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/rules-and-regulations"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-20","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/virginia"},{"slug":"washington","state":"Washington","preemption":"no-preemption","preemptionMeaning":"No statewide preemption; localities may add their own rules.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply across Washington, and no broad statewide UAS preemption was identified in the reviewed official sources, so local and property rules require separate review. Washington also has a commercial-aircraft registration rule, strong drone-assisted hunting restrictions, privacy laws, and a permit-first policy for state-park operations.","keyPoints":["No broad statewide UAS preemption was found. RCW 47.68.420 contemplates coordination with local governments rather than overriding their rules.","Through December 31, 2026, RCW 47.68.250 requires annual Washington registration and a $15 fee for covered commercial UAS operated or based in the state. The published statute schedules a $30 fee beginning January 1, 2027; hobby and recreational UAS remain exempt.","WAC 220-413-070 prohibits using drones to spot or report wildlife for hunting, hunting from a drone, pursuing or harassing wildlife, and hunting game on a day the person operated a drone.","RCW 9A.44.115 covers specified nonconsensual intimate viewing or imaging, while RCW 9.73.030 generally requires consent before recording private conversations, subject to statutory exceptions.","WAC 352-32-130 requires a permit when the operator is inside a state park or the drone takes off from or lands on park property. Commercial imagery also requires the filming portion of the permit."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=47.68.250","additionalSources":[{"label":"Washington RCW 47.68.250: aircraft registration","url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=47.68.250"},{"label":"Washington RCW 47.68.420: UAS coordinator and local coordination","url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=47.68.420"},{"label":"Washington WAC 220-413-070: hunting with aircraft and drones","url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=220-413-070"},{"label":"Washington RCW 9A.44.115: voyeurism","url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.44.115"},{"label":"Washington RCW 9.73.030: private communications","url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.73.030"},{"label":"Washington WAC 352-32-130: aircraft in state parks","url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=352-32-130"},{"label":"Washington State Parks: remote controlled aircraft permit","url":"https://parks.wa.gov/passes-permits/permits/remote-controlled-aircraft-permit"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-26","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/washington"},{"slug":"west-virginia","state":"West Virginia","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout West Virginia. West Virginia has addressed drone-related hunting and surveillance offenses; most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus any local rules.","keyPoints":["West Virginia restricts using drones in hunting and addresses using drones to commit certain offenses.","We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/west-virginia"},{"slug":"wisconsin","state":"Wisconsin","preemption":"preemption","preemptionMeaning":"State law expressly preempts local drone ordinances.","summary":"Federal FAA rules still govern Wisconsin airspace. Wisconsin law also creates a drone-privacy offense, limits flights over correctional institutions and active school property, restricts certain low-altitude flights near listed infrastructure, prohibits operating weaponized drones, and largely preempts local regulation of drone ownership or operation. Separate Wisconsin DNR property-use rules restrict drones on specified state-managed lands.","keyPoints":["Wis. Stat. § 114.04 generally recognizes flight over land and water as lawful, subject to the state's named drone restrictions, unless the aircraft is flown so low that it intentionally interferes with the existing use or is imminently dangerous or damaging. Landing on another person's land or water without consent is unlawful except for a forced landing.","Wis. Stat. § 942.10 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to use a drone with intent to photograph, record, or otherwise observe another individual in a place where that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. The section excludes law-enforcement use authorized under § 175.55.","Wis. Stat. § 114.045 prohibits flying over a correctional institution and its grounds without the required express authorization. It also prohibits flying over school property while the school is open for instruction or the property is hosting an approved event, subject to express-authorization and listed public-safety exceptions.","For operations that do not fit a statutory exception, § 114.045 also prohibits flight below 300 feet over or within 500 feet of parcels containing listed water, energy, telecommunications, internet/cable, and petroleum facilities. The section includes exceptions for specified official business and for commercial operations conducted in compliance with FAA regulations, authorizations, or exemptions.","Wis. Stat. § 941.292 makes operating a weaponized drone a Class H felony, with an exception for members of the U.S. armed forces or National Guard acting in an official capacity.","Wis. Stat. § 175.55 generally requires Wisconsin law enforcement to obtain a search warrant before using a drone in a criminal investigation to gather evidence or information from a place where an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Its listed exceptions include public places, active search and rescue, locating an escaped prisoner, executing an arrest warrant, imminent danger, and imminent destruction of evidence.","Wis. Stat. § 114.105 prevents political subdivisions from regulating drone ownership or operation, apart from limiting their own governmental drone use, and allows ordinances in strict conformity with Chapter 114. Because that statute does not resolve every property-access or site-use question, verify any municipal launch-site or posted-property rule with the responsible land manager.","Wis. Admin. Code NR 45.04(1)(c) restricts drones to areas posted for their use at state parks, state recreation areas, state natural areas, the Kettle Moraine and Point Beach state forests, and the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway. Wisconsin DNR identifies the Richard Bong State Recreation Area Special Use Zone as a limited option and instructs visitors to call at least one week ahead for permission."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/114/I/045","additionalSources":[{"label":"Wisconsin DOT: unmanned aircraft systems","url":"https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/travel/air/pilot-info/uas.aspx"},{"label":"Wisconsin Statutes § 114.04: flying and landing","url":"https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/114/I/04"},{"label":"Wisconsin Statutes § 114.045: operation limits","url":"https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/114/I/045"},{"label":"Wisconsin Statutes § 114.105: local regulation","url":"https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/114/I/105"},{"label":"Wisconsin Statutes § 175.55: law-enforcement use","url":"https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/175/55"},{"label":"Wisconsin Statutes § 941.292: weaponized drones","url":"https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/941/III/292"},{"label":"Wisconsin Statutes § 942.10: privacy offense","url":"https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/942/10"},{"label":"Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 45.04(1)(c): state properties","url":"https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/nr/001/45/04/1/c"},{"label":"Wisconsin DNR: flying-related activities","url":"https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/rules/flying"}],"lastReviewed":"2026-07-16","pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/wisconsin"},{"slug":"wyoming","state":"Wyoming","preemption":"unknown","preemptionMeaning":"No clear statewide posture verified; assume local rules may apply.","summary":"Federal FAA rules apply throughout Wyoming. State-specific drone statutes are limited; most everyday flying follows the federal floor plus public-land and local rules, which matter given Wyoming's extensive federal land.","keyPoints":["We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture. Assume local (city/county) drone ordinances may apply and verify with official sources before flying.","Much of Wyoming is federal land (national parks, forests, BLM) where separate federal rules apply (e.g., takeoff/landing is banned in national parks).","State-park and state-land drone rules vary by unit and can change; many state park systems restrict drone takeoff/landing without a permit. Verify with the managing agency before flying."],"officialSourceUrl":"https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape","additionalSources":[],"lastReviewed":null,"pageUrl":"https://droneauthority.org/laws/wyoming"}]}