Wisconsin drone laws

• 01

  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.2

• 02

  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 § 175.55.7

• 03

  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.3

• 04

  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.3

• 05

  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.6

• 06

  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.5

• 07

  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.4

• 08

  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.89

Launch-day workflow

Before you fly in Wisconsin

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

1. 01

   Clear the launch property

   Confirm permission from the property manager. On listed Wisconsin DNR properties, drones are prohibited except in areas posted for their use; Richard Bong's Special Use Zone requires advance permission.89

2. 02

   Screen the route for protected sites

   Check for correctional institutions, active school property, and the water, energy, communications, or petroleum facilities listed in § 114.045 before planning a low-altitude route.3

3. 03

   Plan the camera path for privacy

   Do not use the aircraft to photograph, record, or observe a person in a place where that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy.7

4. 04

   Add the federal preflight

   Identify whether the flight is recreational, commercial, public-safety, or educational, then open the current FAA rules before flying. Wisconsin DOT warns that drone regulations continue to evolve and directs operators to FAA UAS guidance.1

5. 05

   Keep drones out of the hunt

   Do not use a drone to aid in hunting any animal. Wisconsin DNR's current general hunting regulations expressly include unmanned aircraft and drones in that prohibition.10

Beyond the airspace layer

Land access and wildlife are separate decisions