Tennessee Drone Laws
Federal requirements, Tennessee statutes, local restrictions, and official resources — in one place, with primary-source citations, for recreational and commercial drone pilots.
Verified & Published
Last reviewed 2026-10-01 · Next review 2026-10-31 · 3 official sources
Tennessee drone law is governed by a combination of federal FAA regulations and specific state statutes targeting privacy, critical infrastructure protection, and wildlife interference. The state emphasizes safe and responsible operation, requiring pilots to be aware of both federal airspace rules and state-level prohibitions.
Are drones legal in Tennessee?
Drone operations are generally allowed in Tennessee 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
N/A Recreational operators must follow FAA guidelines and comply with state privacy and infrastructure laws.
N/A Commercial operators must adhere to FAA Part 107 rules and state-specific operational restrictions.
T.C.A. § 39-13-609 State law prohibits using drones to capture images of individuals or private property without consent under certain conditions.
T.C.A. § 39-13-903 Flying within 250 feet of critical infrastructure for surveillance or data collection without consent is prohibited.
T.C.A. § 70-4-302 Interfering with hunting or fishing activities using a drone is unlawful.
N/A Operators should verify specific park rules as policies may vary by location.
N/A —State law does not explicitly preempt all local authority, but local ordinances must align with federal and state law.
T.C.A. § 39-13-903 Violations of critical infrastructure laws can result in felony charges.
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.
Tennessee State Laws
Verified state statutes, regulations, and agency policies. Each item links to its official source.
Privacy & Surveillance
Unlawful Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Privacy)
VerifiedYou cannot use a drone to take pictures or video of people on private property without their consent if your intent is to conduct surveillance.
- Citation
- T.C.A. § 39-13-902
- Enforcement
- Local Law Enforcement
- Last verified
- 2026-08-02
Penalties: Class C misdemeanor, carrying up to 30 days in jail and fines.
Critical Infrastructure
Critical Infrastructure & Public Events Protection
VerifiedIt is illegal to fly a drone over critical infrastructure (like power plants) or over large open-air events (like concerts or sports).
- Citation
- T.C.A. § 39-13-902(a)(2)
- Enforcement
- Local Law Enforcement
- Last verified
- 2026-08-02
Penalties: Class A misdemeanor, carrying up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and fines.
Hunting, Fishing & Wildlife
Hunter Protection Act (Wildlife Interference)
VerifiedDrones cannot be used to harass people who are legally hunting or to disturb wildlife being hunted.
- Citation
- T.C.A. § 70-4-301
- Enforcement
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)
- Last verified
- 2026-08-02
Penalties: Class C misdemeanor and potential loss of equipment.
Law-Enforcement Drone Use
Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act
VerifiedPolice generally need a warrant to use a drone for surveillance of individuals or private property.
- Citation
- T.C.A. § 39-13-609
- Enforcement
- Judicial Branch
- Last verified
- 2026-08-02
Penalties: Evidence gathered in violation is inadmissible in court; civil damages possible.
Local Preemption & Municipal Authority
Local Government Preemption of UAS Regulation
VerifiedLocal cities cannot make their own drone flight laws; only the state and FAA have that power.
- Citation
- T.C.A. § 6-54-142
- Enforcement
- Tennessee State Legislature
- Last verified
- 2026-08-02
Penalties: Ordinances passed in violation of this statute are unenforceable.
Local & Property Rules
Federal authorization does not automatically grant permission to launch, land, or operate from a particular property.
State Parks
Tennessee does not have a blanket statewide ban on drones in state parks, but operators are encouraged to check with individual park management for specific site rules and potential permit requirements.
Local Government Authority
Tennessee law does not explicitly preempt all local drone ordinances, meaning local governments may retain some authority to regulate drone operations on property they own or manage, provided they do not conflict with federal law.
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 Tennessee
Turn the rules into a flight plan — find a place to fly, hire a local professional, or join the CityDrones pilot directory.
Tennessee Drone Laws FAQ
Quick answers for recreational and commercial pilots.
Are drones legal in Tennessee?
Drone operations are generally allowed in Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
FAA registration is a federal requirement and applies nationwide, including Tennessee. Whether registration is required depends on the aircraft and type of operation.
Can I fly a drone in Tennessee state parks?
Tennessee does not have a blanket statewide ban on drones in state parks, but operators are encouraged to check with individual park management for specific site rules and potential permit requirements.
Can cities in Tennessee make their own drone rules?
There is no explicit state-wide statute that fully preempts local municipalities from enacting their own drone-related ordinances.
What do commercial drone pilots need in Tennessee?
Commercial pilots generally need to comply with FAA Part 107 requirements as well as applicable Tennessee, 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.