Utah Drone Laws
Federal requirements, Utah 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
Utah maintains a centralized approach to drone regulation, explicitly preempting local governments from creating their own flight ordinances. State law focuses heavily on regulating government use of UAS, protecting individual privacy, and managing drone activity within state parks and public lands.
Are drones legal in Utah?
Drone operations are generally allowed in Utah 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
HJR020 Recreational operators must follow FAA guidelines and are encouraged to use the Know Before You Fly program.
Commercial operators must comply with FAA Part 107 regulations and state-specific privacy and land-use statutes.
63G-18-101 State law restricts the use of drones for surveillance and data collection by law enforcement and private actors.
72-10-802 State statutes provide frameworks for government use of UAS, with specific limitations on data collection near sensitive areas.
72-14-201 Interference with hunting or wildlife management activities is generally prohibited under state law.
Utah State Parks generally require a special-use permit for drone operation, with some parks prohibiting use entirely during peak seasons.
72-14-103 State law explicitly preempts local municipalities from enacting their own drone-specific flight ordinances.
76-9-402 Violations of state drone laws can result in criminal charges depending on the nature of the offense, such as privacy invasion or harassment.
Statewide Preemption Active
State law explicitly preempts local governments from enacting ordinances related to the operation of unmanned aircraft systems under Utah Code § 72-14-103.
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.
Utah State Laws
Verified state statutes, regulations, and agency policies. Each item links to its official source.
Voyeurism, Harassment & Stalking
Voyeurism and UAS Privacy
VerifiedUsing a drone to spy on someone in a private place is a criminal offense.
- Citation
- Utah Code § 76-9-702.7
- Enforcement
- Local Law Enforcement
- Last verified
- 2026-08-02
Penalties: Typically a class A or class B misdemeanor depending on the age of the victim and specific circumstances.
Stalking and Harassment via UAS
VerifiedUsing a drone to follow or repeatedly bother a person can lead to stalking charges.
- Citation
- Utah Code § 76-5-106.5
- Enforcement
- Local Law Enforcement
- Last verified
- 2026-08-02
Penalties: Class A misdemeanor for a first offense; third-degree felony for subsequent offenses.
Emergency Scenes & Wildfires
Wildland Fire Interference
VerifiedDo not fly drones near active wildfires, as it forces firefighting aircraft to ground their operations.
- Citation
- Utah Code § 65A-3-2.5
- Enforcement
- Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands
- Last verified
- 2026-08-02
Penalties: Penalties range from a class B misdemeanor to a third-degree felony if the operation causes a firefighting aircraft to collide or drop its load in an unintended area.
Hunting, Fishing & Wildlife
Wildlife and Hunting Restrictions
VerifiedDrones cannot be used to hunt, scout, or harass wildlife.
- Citation
- Utah Code § 23A-3-204
- Enforcement
- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR)
- Last verified
- 2026-08-02
Penalties: Class B misdemeanor for general harassment; additional penalties and license revocation possible for hunting violations.
Law-Enforcement Drone Use
Law Enforcement Use of UAS
VerifiedPolice generally need a warrant to use a drone for surveillance but have exceptions for emergencies.
- Citation
- Utah Code § 72-14-201
- Enforcement
- Utah Judiciary / Department of Public Safety
- Last verified
- 2026-08-02
Penalties: Evidence gathered in violation of this statute may be excluded from court proceedings.
Weapons & Dangerous Payloads
Weaponized Unmanned Aircraft
VerifiedIt is a serious crime to equip a drone with any type of weapon.
- Citation
- Utah Code § 72-14-401
- Enforcement
- Local Law Enforcement
- Last verified
- 2026-08-02
Penalties: Violation is a third-degree felony.
Local Preemption & Municipal Authority
State Preemption of UAS Regulation
VerifiedLocal cities and counties cannot create their own drone flight rules.
- Citation
- Utah Code § 72-10-153
- Enforcement
- Utah Department of Transportation
- Last verified
- 2026-08-02
Penalties: Local ordinances found to be in conflict with this state statute are generally unenforceable.
Local & Property Rules
Federal authorization does not automatically grant permission to launch, land, or operate from a particular property.
State Parks
Drone use in Utah State Parks is highly restricted. Most parks require a special-use permit, and some locations, such as Dead Horse Point, prohibit drone use entirely during peak visitor seasons to protect privacy and wildlife.
Local Government Authority
Local municipalities in Utah are prohibited from enacting ordinances that regulate the operation of unmanned aircraft, ensuring a uniform set of rules across the state.
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 Utah
Turn the rules into a flight plan — find a place to fly, hire a local professional, or join the CityDrones pilot directory.
Utah Drone Laws FAQ
Quick answers for recreational and commercial pilots.
Are drones legal in Utah?
Drone operations are generally allowed in Utah 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 Utah?
FAA registration is a federal requirement and applies nationwide, including Utah. Whether registration is required depends on the aircraft and type of operation.
Can I fly a drone in Utah state parks?
Drone use in Utah State Parks is highly restricted. Most parks require a special-use permit, and some locations, such as Dead Horse Point, prohibit drone use entirely during peak visitor seasons to protect privacy and wildlife.
Can cities in Utah make their own drone rules?
State law explicitly preempts local governments from enacting ordinances related to the operation of unmanned aircraft systems under Utah Code § 72-14-103.
What do commercial drone pilots need in Utah?
Commercial pilots generally need to comply with FAA Part 107 requirements as well as applicable Utah, 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.