Kansas Drone Laws
Federal requirements, Kansas statutes, local restrictions, and official resources — in one place, with primary-source citations, for recreational and commercial drone pilots.
Verified & Published
Last reviewed 2026-09-30 · Next review 2026-10-30 · 2 official sources
Kansas drone law is primarily defined by federal FAA regulations, with the state legislature focusing on specific procurement security and wildlife management. There is no comprehensive state-wide drone code, meaning operators must remain compliant with federal law while respecting local municipal ordinances and general privacy statutes.
Are drones legal in Kansas?
Drone operations are generally allowed in Kansas when pilots follow FAA requirements plus all applicable state, local, and property rules. Check airspace authorization and launch or landing restrictions before every flight.
Rules, airspace restrictions, and temporary conditions can change. Check current airspace and official requirements before every flight.
At a Glance
Recreational operators must follow FAA guidelines, including registration for drones over 0.55 lbs.
Commercial operators must adhere to FAA Part 107 regulations.
General privacy and harassment laws apply to drone use, though specific drone-privacy statutes are limited.
K.S.A. 75-3740h State agencies are prohibited from acquiring drones or components from certain foreign countries of concern.
HB 2423 Proposed legislation seeks to regulate the use of drones for locating wounded wildlife and prohibits harassment of animals.
Drone operations in state parks are subject to general public land management policies which may require permits.
Local municipalities may have their own ordinances regarding drone operations on city-owned property.
K.S.A. 75-3740h Violations of state-level drone procurement laws are handled through administrative and state oversight.
How the Three Layers Work Together
Every flight is governed by all three layers at once. A rule in one layer does not cancel or replace the others — you must satisfy each layer that applies to where and how you fly.
FAA requirements that apply nationwide — registration, Remote ID, airspace, and operating categories.
State statutes, regulations, agency policies, and rules for state-owned property.
Municipal and county rules, parks, public-property launch/landing limits, filming permits, and property policies.
Our Pre-Flight Recommendations
- Check airspace & get LAANC authorization via B4UFLY before every flight.
- Confirm Remote ID compliance — broadcast module or FAA-registered drone.
- Search the local municipal code for park, launch, and landing restrictions.
- Carry proof of FAA registration and your Part 107 certificate when flying commercially.
- Respect private property — get written permission before flying over private land.
- When layers conflict, follow the most restrictive rule that applies.
Court decisions are shown separately under “Developing Law & Court Decisions.” They inform how rules may evolve but do not replace Layer 3.
Federal Baseline (Applies Everywhere)
These FAA requirements apply nationwide, in addition to any state and local rules below. Federal updates appear automatically on every state page.
- Choosing the Correct Operating Category. Before flying, decide whether you're flying recreationally under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations or commercially under Part 107. The category determines which rules apply to you.
- Recreational Flying and TRUST. Recreational flyers must pass the free TRUST test, carry proof of passage, register drones over 0.55 lb, and follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized community-based organization.
- Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification. Commercial drone operations require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, earned by passing the Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test.
- Drone Registration and Exterior Markings. Drones weighing 0.55 lb (250 g) or more must be registered with the FAA, and the registration number must be displayed on the exterior of the aircraft.
- Remote ID. Most drones that require registration must also broadcast Remote ID — a digital 'license plate' — either built-in or via an add-on broadcast module.
- Visual Line of Sight. You must keep your drone within unaided visual line of sight at all times, unless you hold a specific FAA waiver.
- General Altitude Limits. The general altitude ceiling is 400 feet above ground level, with specific allowances near structures under Part 107.
- Controlled and Uncontrolled Airspace. Flying in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or surface E) near airports requires prior FAA authorization; uncontrolled Class G generally does not.
Kansas State Laws
Verified state statutes, regulations, and agency policies. Each item links to its official source.
Privacy & Surveillance
Criminal Invasion of Privacy
VerifiedIt is illegal to use a drone to capture images or video of people in private places where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
- Citation
- K.S.A. § 21-6101
- Enforcement
- Local Law Enforcement / County Prosecutor
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Class A nonperson misdemeanor or Level 8 or 10 nonperson felony depending on the severity and intent (e.g., sexual motivation).
Voyeurism, Harassment & Stalking
UAS in Stalking Definitions
VerifiedUsing a drone to follow or harass someone can be legally classified as stalking under Kansas law.
- Citation
- K.S.A. § 60-31a02
- Enforcement
- Local Law Enforcement
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Violations may result in civil protection orders or criminal stalking charges (Class A nonperson misdemeanor for first offense).
Hunting, Fishing & Wildlife
Wildlife and Hunting Interference
VerifiedDrones cannot be used to harass wildlife or to disrupt legal hunting, fishing, or trapping.
- Citation
- K.S.A. § 32-1004
- Enforcement
- Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Violations are generally prosecuted as misdemeanors involving fines and potential loss of hunting privileges.
State Parks & Public Lands
KDWP Land and Water UAS Restrictions
VerifiedYou cannot fly a drone in Kansas State Parks or on KDWP land without a permit or being in a designated flight area.
- Citation
- K.A.R. 115-8-13
- Enforcement
- Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
- Last verified
- 2026-07-24
Penalties: Citations and fines assessed by KDWP park rangers.
Local & Property Rules
Federal authorization does not automatically grant permission to launch, land, or operate from a particular property.
State Parks
Specific statewide regulations for drones in Kansas state parks are not codified in a single statute; operators should check with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for site-specific rules before flying.
Local Government Authority
Kansas municipalities generally retain the authority to regulate drone operations on property they own or manage, provided these rules do not conflict with federal airspace jurisdiction.
Detailed local guides are being developed for selected cities — covering local parks, city- and county-owned property, filming permits, special events, public facilities, and property-manager rules.
Plan Your Next Flight in Kansas
Turn the rules into a flight plan — find a place to fly, hire a local professional, or join the CityDrones pilot directory.
Kansas Drone Laws FAQ
Quick answers for recreational and commercial pilots.
Are drones legal in Kansas?
Drone operations are generally allowed in Kansas when pilots follow FAA requirements plus all applicable state, local, and property rules. Always verify airspace and launch or landing restrictions before flying.
Do I need to register my drone in Kansas?
FAA registration is a federal requirement and applies nationwide, including Kansas. Whether registration is required depends on the aircraft and type of operation.
Can I fly a drone in Kansas state parks?
Specific statewide regulations for drones in Kansas state parks are not codified in a single statute; operators should check with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for site-specific rules before flying.
Can cities in Kansas make their own drone rules?
There is no explicit state-wide preemption statute that prevents local governments from enacting drone-related ordinances on public property.
What do commercial drone pilots need in Kansas?
Commercial pilots generally need to comply with FAA Part 107 requirements as well as applicable Kansas, local, and property rules. Additional permits may apply to filming or operations on managed property.
Sources & Methodology
NCSL — Current Unmanned Aircraft State Law Landscape
Primary-source enacted state statutes and bill numbers.
UAV Coach — State Drone Laws Directory
State statutes + municipal local ordinances.
FlyUSI — US Drone Laws Guide
Federal / State / Local three-layer tracker, updated quarterly.
Drone Launch Academy — 50-State Directory
Commercial nuances: privacy torts, hunting, critical infrastructure.
CityDrones uses AI-assisted research to draft state law summaries, cross-checked against the authoritative directories above. Every claim is sourced to an official government or legislature page before publication, and all content is reviewed by a human editor before going live. This is educational information, not legal advice.
The 3-Layer Pre-Flight Compliance Guide
A printable checklist that walks federal, state, and local rules in the same order every time — so you can clear a legal flight before you leave the driveway.
Get it firstCityDrones provides general educational and flight-planning information, not legal advice or flight authorization. Drone laws, property rules, airspace restrictions, and temporary conditions may change. Always verify current requirements with the FAA and the appropriate government or property authority before flying.