State answer first
What changes in Texas
You can generally fly a drone in Texas if you follow the FAA rules and then add the state, local, and land-manager restrictions below.
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.123
Local posture
State preempts local drone rules
Parks and land
Verify each launch site
Airspace
FAA rules still control
Texas drone laws at a glance
| Can I fly here? | Yes, generally — follow the FAA rules, then add the Texas restrictions on this page. |
|---|---|
| Local ordinances | State preempts local drone rules |
| State parks & land | Texas State Parks allows recreational drones only in the designated area at Martin Dies, Jr. State Park. Filming at another state park requires a permit from that park.2 |
| License & registration | Federal, same in every state: Part 107 or TRUST, plus registration and Remote ID when the aircraft must be registered. |
| Where to fly | Flying sites, clubs, and FRIAs in Texas |
| Who to fly with | Drone clubs and FPV groups in Texas |
| Last reviewed | July 26, 2026 · claim-level primary sources below |
State-specific rules to check
- 01
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.1
- 02
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.1
- 03
Texas restricts certain operations over critical-infrastructure facilities, correctional facilities, and sports venues under Government Code Chapter 423.1
- 04
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.2
- 05
Using a drone to hunt, locate, recover, count, photograph, harass, or drive wildlife is prohibited without an activity-specific Texas Parks and Wildlife permit.3
Launch-day workflow
Before you fly in Texas
Work through these state-specific checks before the usual FAA airspace, weather, aircraft, and crew review.
- 01
Define the imaging purpose
Chapter 423 contains exceptions as well as restrictions. Confirm whether the capture could be considered surveillance of a person or private property.1
- 02
Screen protected facilities
Check the route against critical infrastructure, correctional facilities, sports venues, and other locations addressed by Chapter 423.1
- 03
Use the state-park rule, not an assumption
Recreational drone use is limited to the designated Martin Dies, Jr. area; filming at other state parks requires a park permit.2
- 04
Keep drones out of hunting and recovery
Do not use a drone to locate wounded animals or otherwise support recreational hunting. Wildlife work needs the applicable TPWD permit.3
Beyond the airspace layer
Land access and wildlife are separate decisions
Managed land
Texas State Parks allows recreational drones only in the designated area at Martin Dies, Jr. State Park. Filming at another state park requires a permit from that park.2
Compare public-land managersWildlife and hunting
Without an activity-specific TPWD permit, do not hunt, drive, capture, take, count, photograph, pursue, or recover wildlife with a drone. Sport-hunting pursuit and recovery are not permitted.3
Local preemption
State preempts local drone rules
A statewide law reserves drone regulation to the state, so cities and counties generally cannot add their own drone ordinances.
Parks and launch sites
Check the land manager
Texas State Parks allows recreational drones only in the designated area at Martin Dies, Jr. State Park. Filming at another state park requires a permit from that park.
Primary sources
These sources support the material state claims above. State laws, local park rules, and emergency restrictions can still change faster than a static guide.