Drone Laws by State: Where You Can Fly (2026)

Quick Answer

Drone Flying has a complicated legal status across the U.S. It's legal in 1 state, restricted in 49, and banned in 0 as of 2026. The rules change at every state line.

1 Legal

49 Restricted

0 Illegal

Last verified: April 2026 · About our research

Drone Flying Legality Map

Legal

Restrictions

Illegal

Unverified

All 50 States

State	Status	Summary
Alabama	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Alabama under FAA regulations. In March 2026, the legislature advanced HB 429...	Details →
Alaska	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Alaska under FAA regulations. A March 2024 court ruling limited warrantless a...	Details →
Arizona	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Arizona under FAA regulations. Lawmakers are considering a bill in March 2026...	Details →
Arkansas	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Arkansas under FAA regulations. The legislature has been considering HB1148, ...	Details →
California	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in California but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. An August 2025 Califo...	Details →
Colorado	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Colorado under FAA regulations. Senate Bill 26-024 was introduced in January ...	Details →
Connecticut	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Connecticut but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. In December 2025, a ...	Details →
Delaware	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Delaware under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes have been ...	Details →
Florida	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Florida but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. Sweeping new drone laws ...	Details →
Georgia	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Georgia under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since the l...	Details →
Hawaii	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Hawaii under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes have been ma...	Details →
Idaho	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Idaho under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since the law...	Details →
Illinois	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Illinois but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant legislat...	Details →
Indiana	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Indiana under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since the 2...	Details →
Iowa	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Iowa under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes have been made...	Details →
Kansas	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Kansas under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since the pr...	Details →
Kentucky	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Kentucky under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since the ...	Details →
Louisiana	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Louisiana but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant legisla...	Details →
Maine	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Maine under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since the law...	Details →
Maryland	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Maryland but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant legislat...	Details →
Massachusetts	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Massachusetts under FAA regulations. No significant statewide legislative cha...	Details →
Michigan	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Michigan but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant legislat...	Details →
Minnesota	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Minnesota but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant legisla...	Details →
Mississippi	LEGAL	Drone Flying is legal in Mississippi. Mississippi Code Section 97-29-61 addresses drone-related privacy concerns, making...	Details →
Missouri	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Missouri under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since the ...	Details →
Montana	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Montana under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since the l...	Details →
Nebraska	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Nebraska under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes have been ...	Details →
Nevada	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Nevada but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant legislativ...	Details →
New Hampshire	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in New Hampshire under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since...	Details →
New Jersey	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in New Jersey but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant legisl...	Details →
New Mexico	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in New Mexico under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since th...	Details →
New York	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in New York but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant statewid...	Details →
North Carolina	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in North Carolina but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant le...	Details →
North Dakota	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in North Dakota under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since ...	Details →
Ohio	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Ohio under FAA regulations. New drone laws took effect in April 2025, which a...	Details →
Oklahoma	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Oklahoma under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since the ...	Details →
Oregon	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Oregon but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant legislativ...	Details →
Pennsylvania	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Pennsylvania under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since ...	Details →
Rhode Island	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Rhode Island under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes have b...	Details →
South Carolina	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in South Carolina under FAA regulations. Bill 4679 was introduced in the 2025-20...	Details →
South Dakota	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in South Dakota under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since ...	Details →
Tennessee	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Tennessee but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant legisla...	Details →
Texas	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Texas but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant legislative...	Details →
Utah	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Utah but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. Beginning January 1, 2025, ...	Details →
Vermont	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Vermont under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since the l...	Details →
Virginia	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Virginia but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant legislat...	Details →
Washington	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Washington but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant legisl...	Details →
West Virginia	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in West Virginia under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since...	Details →
Wisconsin	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal in Wisconsin but subject to both FAA regulations and additional state laws. No significant legisla...	Details →
Wyoming	RESTRICTED	Drone flying is legal with restrictions in Wyoming under FAA regulations. No significant legislative changes since the l...	Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Drone Flying legal in the United States?

Drone Flying has a complicated legal status across the U.S. It's legal in 1 state, restricted in 49, and banned in 0 as of 2026. The rules change at every state line.

How many states allow drone flying?

As of 2026, drone flying is legal in 1 state, restricted with conditions in 49 states. Use the map and table on this page to check your specific state.

Can you travel across state lines with drone flying?

Crossing state lines changes which laws apply. If drone flying is legal in your home state but illegal in the state you're entering, you can face criminal charges the moment you cross the border. This applies to driving, flying, and shipping.