Drone Regulations by State: What Pilots Need to Know (2026)

The FAA sets the baseline rules for every drone flight in the United States. Part 107 covers altitude limits, airspace, and who needs a license. Those rules apply in all 50 states.

But here is what catches many pilots off guard: states, counties, and cities can add their own rules on top of federal law. Some of these rules are strict. And they change without much warning.

Federal vs. State vs. Local Rules

Federal law (Part 107) handles airspace. The FAA controls where and how high you can fly. No state can override that.

But states control things on the ground: privacy, trespass, and surveillance. A city can ban drone takeoffs from its parks. A state can make it a crime to fly over someone's property to photograph them without consent.

This means you could be legal under FAA rules but still break a state or local law. You need to check both before every flight in a new area.

States With Extra Drone Restrictions

As of early 2026, at least 44 states have passed some type of drone-specific legislation. Not all of it affects Part 107 pilots. But these 10 states have rules that come up the most:

• California. Strong privacy laws. Flying over private property for surveillance purposes can result in civil liability. Local park bans are common in LA and San Francisco.
• Texas. Chapter 423 of the Texas Government Code restricts using drones to capture images of people or private property without consent. There are exceptions for real estate, oil and gas, and other commercial uses.
• Florida. The Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act limits drone use by private individuals for surveillance. Law enforcement needs a warrant to use drones in most cases.
• New York. New York City has some of the strictest local rules. You cannot take off or land a drone anywhere in the five boroughs without a city permit, with very limited exceptions.
• North Carolina. Bans flying over state and local government buildings and confinement facilities. Also restricts drone use for hunting and fishing.
• Oregon.Makes it a crime to fly a drone over someone's property below 400 feet if the intent is to photograph, record, or observe them.
• Nevada. Bans weaponized drones. Also restricts drone use near critical infrastructure like power plants and water treatment facilities.
• Louisiana. Bans flying drones over petrochemical facilities, refineries, and other industrial sites without permission.
• Tennessee. Restricts drone flights over open-air events with more than 100 people. Also bans drones near wildfires.
• Illinois. Passed the Drone Surveillance Oversight Act. Limits law enforcement drone use and requires transparency on drone programs. Also bans weaponized drones.

LAANC: How to Get Airspace Authorization

If you need to fly in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or E near an airport), you need authorization from the FAA. The fastest way to get it is through LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability).

LAANC approvals are usually instant. You request them through an approved app like Aloft, AirMap, or DJI Fly. The system checks the UAS Facility Maps for that airspace and tells you the maximum altitude you can fly.

Not every airport supports LAANC yet. If yours does not, you need to file a manual authorization through the FAA DroneZone. That process can take up to 90 days.

How to Check Before You Fly

Before every flight in a new location, run through this checklist:

• 1Check airspace. Use the FAA B4UFLY app or an approved LAANC app to see if you need authorization.
• 2Check state law.Search for your state's drone regulations on the state legislature website. The National Conference of State Legislatures tracks all drone-related bills.
• 3Check local rules. Call the city or county clerk for drone restrictions in parks, beaches, and public land. Many cities post these on their websites.
• 4Check TFRs. Temporary Flight Restrictions pop up for events, fires, and presidential travel. Check the FAA NOTAM system the morning of your flight.
• 5Check property rules. National parks, military bases, and stadiums are no-fly zones. Private property owners can restrict takeoffs and landings from their land.

The Bottom Line

Part 107 is your federal license to fly. But it is not your only license to worry about. State and local rules vary widely. The safest move is to check airspace, state law, and local rules before every flight in a new location.

Not sure if you even need a Part 107 certificate? Read our guide on when you need a license to fly a drone. Already licensed? Check out every Part 107 rule you should know.