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Drone Authority
Top-down canyon and river aerial landscape, used as regional context for Utah drone lawsSTATE · UTAH

Drone laws by state

Utah drone laws

Start with Utah's state, local, and land-manager rules. Then use the federal baseline as the floor before you launch.

Primary sources reviewed July 26, 2026State preempts local drone rules
All states
By Reviewed July 26, 2026State and agency primary sources checked claim by claim

State answer first

What changes in Utah

You can generally fly a drone in Utah if you follow the FAA rules and then add the state, local, and land-manager restrictions below.

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.123847

Local posture

State preempts local drone rules

Parks and land

Verify each launch site

Airspace

FAA rules still control

Utah drone laws at a glance

Can I fly here?Yes, generally — follow the FAA rules, then add the Utah restrictions on this page.
Local ordinancesState preempts local drone rules
State parks & landUtah State Park drone access is unit-specific. Echo and Goblin Valley both use permit systems, but their seasons, locations, and operating conditions differ. Obtain approval from the exact park.56
License & registrationFederal, same in every state: Part 107 or TRUST, plus registration and Remote ID when the aircraft must be registered.
Where to flyFlying sites, clubs, and FRIAs in Utah
Who to fly withDrone clubs and FPV groups in Utah
Last reviewedJuly 26, 2026 · claim-level primary sources below

State-specific rules to check

  • 01

    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.1

  • 02

    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.2

  • 03

    Beginning January 1, 2025, a qualifying commercial UAS operation that requires federal certification also requires a current Utah Department of Transportation certificate of registration.3

  • 04

    Utah law prohibits flying in a wildfire TFR or a designated wildfire scene without the incident commander's permission.8

  • 05

    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.56

  • 06

    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 31.7

  • 07

    Utah's law-enforcement UAS statute sets warrant and exception rules and limits use and retention of collected data.4

Launch-day workflow

Before you fly in Utah

Work through these state-specific checks before the usual FAA airspace, weather, aircraft, and crew review.

  1. 01

    Confirm Utah commercial registration

    If the commercial operation requires federal certification, verify that the aircraft also has the current Utah Department of Transportation certificate of registration required by § 72-10-109.3

  2. 02

    Check authorization, NOTAMs, and critical infrastructure

    Confirm controlled-airspace authorization, visual line of sight, the 400-foot framework, current NOTAMs, and permission before operating from the surface of critical infrastructure.2

  3. 03

    Clear wildfire activity

    Check active TFRs and local wildfire operations. Do not enter a wildfire TFR or designated wildfire scene without incident-command permission.8

  4. 04

    Get the exact park permit

    Do not assume one Utah State Park permit works everywhere. Apply through the exact unit and follow its season, time, location, people, campground, and wildlife restrictions.56

  5. 05

    Apply the wildlife season

    Do not use a drone to take, drive, or harass protected wildlife. From July 31 through January 31, do not use one to locate or attempt to observe protected wildlife.7

Beyond the airspace layer

Land access and wildlife are separate decisions

Managed land

Utah State Park drone access is unit-specific. Echo and Goblin Valley both use permit systems, but their seasons, locations, and operating conditions differ. Obtain approval from the exact park.56

Compare public-land managers

Wildlife and hunting

Do not use a drone to take, drive, or harass protected wildlife. From July 31 through January 31, Utah also prohibits using a drone to locate or attempt to observe protected wildlife.7

Read the wildlife guideCheck recovery rules

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

Utah State Park drone access is unit-specific. Echo and Goblin Valley both use permit systems, but their seasons, locations, and operating conditions differ. Obtain approval from the exact 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.