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Drone Authority

Drone laws by state

Vermont drone laws

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

Primary sources reviewed September 18, 2026Check local city and park rules
Alpine ridgeline photographed from above at sunrise, used as regional context for Vermont drone lawsSTATE · VERMONT
All states
By Reviewed September 18, 2026State and agency primary sources checked claim by claim

State answer first

What changes in Vermont

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

Federal FAA rules apply across Vermont. Title 20, chapter 205 sets a warrant rule for police drones, bars flights over correctional facilities, and, for hobby flyers, makes it a civil violation to fly under 100 feet over private property or record it without consent. No statute preempting local drone ordinances was found. The Fish and Wildlife Board bars drones from any role in hunting, and Forests, Parks and Recreation requires the Commissioner's written approval for drones on state lands.1243

Local rules
Check local city and park rules
Parks and land
Verify each launch site
Airspace
FAA rules still control

Vermont drone laws at a glance

Can I fly here?Yes, generally. Follow the FAA rules, then add the Vermont restrictions on this page.
Local ordinancesCheck local city and park rules
State parks & landVermont Forests, Parks and Recreation does not allow drones in state park and state forest facilities without the Commissioner's written approval, except in an emergency. Use the department's published procedure to request it well before the trip.45
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 Vermont
Last reviewedSeptember 18, 2026 · claim-level primary sources below

State-specific rules to check

  • 01

    20 V.S.A. § 4626: a person shall not fly a drone for hobby or recreational purposes below 100 feet over privately owned real property without the owner's prior written consent, and shall not use a drone to record an image of private property or its owner or occupant without consent. Civil penalty of up to $50 for a first violation and $250 after that.2

  • 02

    20 V.S.A. § 4622 bars law enforcement from using a drone to investigate a crime without a warrant, with narrow exceptions, and § 4625 prohibits flying over a correctional facility without authorization.1

  • 03

    No statewide preemption of local drone ordinances was found in chapter 205; town rules at the launch site still apply.1

  • 04

    10 App. V.S.A. § 20, the Fish and Wildlife Board's aerial hunting rule, prohibits using an aircraft or UAV to take wild animals or to locate, surveil, drive, or harass wildlife for hunting, with an exception for qualified personnel on official duty.3

  • 05

    Forests, Parks and Recreation: drones and other aircraft are not allowed in state park and state forest facilities without the written approval of the Commissioner, except in an emergency. The department publishes a procedure for requesting approval.45

Launch-day workflow

Before you fly in Vermont

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

  1. 01

    Hold 100 feet over private land on hobby flights, or get written consent

    Section 4626 makes the low pass and the recording each a civil violation without the owner's consent.2

  2. 02

    Check the town

    Vermont has no statewide preemption in chapter 205.1

  3. 03

    Get the Commissioner's written approval for state lands

    State parks and forests are closed to drones without it, except in an emergency; follow the FPR procedure.45

  4. 04

    Keep drones out of hunting

    The aerial hunting rule bars taking, locating, surveilling, driving, or harassing wildlife by UAV.3

Beyond the airspace layer

Land access and wildlife are separate decisions

Managed land

Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation does not allow drones in state park and state forest facilities without the Commissioner's written approval, except in an emergency. Use the department's published procedure to request it well before the trip.45

Compare public-land managers

Wildlife and hunting

The Fish and Wildlife Board's aerial hunting rule prohibits using an aircraft or UAV to take wild animals or to locate, surveil, drive, or harass wildlife for hunting. Only qualified personnel on official duty are exempt.3

Read the wildlife guideCheck recovery rules
Local preemptionCheck local city and park rules
We could not verify a clear statewide preemption posture; assume local rules may apply and verify before flying.
Parks and launch sitesCheck the land manager
Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation does not allow drones in state park and state forest facilities without the Commissioner's written approval, except in an emergency. Use the department's published procedure to request it well before the trip.

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.