Utah Drones Laws (Federal And State Rules) For Pilots

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about flying drones in Utah. We’ll cover the latest federal rules, Utah-specific laws, what’s legal (and illegal) for recreational and commercial pilots, how law enforcement and government use drones, and privacy and surveillance concerns in your community. 

Federal Drone Laws You Need to Know

Even though this guide focuses on Utah, federal drone laws apply everywhere in the U.S. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sets nationwide rules that you must follow before you ever take off. Here are the key federal requirements as of 2025-2026:

• FAA Registration

If your drone weighs more than 0.55 lbs (250 grams), you must register it with the FAA (it costs $5 and is valid for 3 years). You need to mark your registration number on the drone and carry proof of registration when flying. Failing to register a required drone can lead to huge penalties – the FAA can hit you with civil fines up to $27,500, and criminal fines up to $250,000 plus up to 3 years in prison. In fact, Congress even raised the maximum civil fine to $75,000 per violation in 2024, showing how seriously the FAA takes drone compliance.

• Remote ID Requirement

Any drone that must be registered is also required to broadcast Remote ID information during flight. This means your drone either needs built-in Remote ID or a broadcast module, unless you fly at an FAA-designated drone zone (FRIA). Remote ID broadcasts the drone’s location and your control station location to help authorities identify drones in the air. (If you fly a tiny toy drone under 0.55 lbs purely for fun, you’re exempt from Remote ID – but if it’s registered or used commercially, you need to comply.)

• Recreational Flyers (Hobbyists)

If you’re flying just for fun, federal law still has requirements for you. You must pass the TRUST test (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) and carry proof that you did. TRUST is a free online safety test about basic drone rules. Recreational flights must follow the FAA’s “Exception for Limited Recreational Operations” (U.S. Code 44809) rules. Key rules include:

• • Fly only for recreational purposes (no compensation)
  • Follow CBO safety guidelines: You should follow the safety guidelines of a community-based organization approved by the FAA– for example, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) safety code.
  • Keep your drone within visual line of sight at all times (or have a co-located visual observer with you).
  • Yield to manned aircraft: Drones must give way to all other aircraft and not interfere.
  • Altitude limits: In uncontrolled airspace (Class G), max altitude is 400 feet above ground. In controlled airspace near airports (Classes B, C, D, and E at the surface), you can fly only with prior FAA airspace authorization (e.g. via LAANC) and must obey any altitude restrictions given.
  • Airspace restrictions: Never fly in restricted areas or Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) (more on Utah-specific TFRs later). For example, flying near airports requires permission – it’s illegal to interfere with airport operations. Utah law even explicitly forbids flying in a way that interferes with airport traffic patterns, reflecting the FAA rule.
  • No operations over people or moving vehicles unless you meet specific FAA conditions (this is generally prohibited for hobbyists – it’s a safety risk).
  • Night flying: You should have anti-collision lights visible for 3 miles if flying at night, and only fly at night if you understand the additional risks. (Part 107 certified pilots can fly at night with proper lights; recreational flyers should follow similar precautions.)
  • No careless flying: Do not operate in a dangerous manner that endangers people or other aircraft. Common sense applies – don’t fly under the influence, don’t fly over crowds, etc.

• Commercial Drone Pilots

If you fly for work or business (even just selling a photo or inspecting a roof for a friend counts as commercial), you must follow 14 CFR Part 107 (the FAA’s Small UAS Rule) This means you need to obtain an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate by passing a knowledge test and background check. Part 107 has many of the same operational rules as the hobby ones above, with some additional flexibility via waivers:

• • Under Part 107 you can apply for waivers to do things like fly at night (now allowed if you have anti-collision lights and training), fly beyond line of sight, fly over people, etc., but you need explicit FAA approval for those special cases.
  • Without a waiver, Part 107 limits you to 400 ft altitude, daylight or civil twilight flying (unless with night waiver), within visual line of sight, not over uninvolved people, and not in controlled airspace without authorization.
  • All commercial drones must be registered with the FAA, even if under 0.55 lbs (the hobby weight cutoff doesn’t apply to commercial – a DJI Mini used for business still needs registration).
  • Remote ID also applies to commercial drones (virtually all need to broadcast since they require registration).
  • Keep in mind that the FAA now views unsafe commercial operations very seriously. For instance, in 2024 the FAA announced fines against dozens of drone operators – including a ~$32,700 fine for a person who flew an unregistered, unlit drone at night and nearly hit a police helicopter during a search. Another case saw $18,200 proposed against someone who flew a drone into a restricted airspace over an F1 Grand Prix without authorization. If you break the rules, you risk tens of thousands of dollars in penalties and even loss of your remote pilot license.

• Government Drone Use

Public safety agencies (police, fire departments) and other government operators in Utah have two paths. They can either have Part 107 certified pilots and follow the same rules as commercial operators, or they can obtain a Certificate of Authorization (COA) from the FAA for specific government drone operations. A COA can allow certain operations (like beyond line of sight or nighttime) for government purposes that go beyond Part 107 rules, but it’s essentially a waiver process. So if you see a police drone flying at night or over a crowd, they likely have the proper FAA authorization or a trained Part 107 pilot at the controls.

How to Get a Certificate of Authorization (COA) for Governmental Organizations

No matter who you are, federal law requires you to fly safely and responsibly. Always register if required, always yield to manned aircraft, and never fly in restricted areas or in ways that could endanger others. The FAA has given local law enforcement authority to enforce drone laws too, so don’t be surprised if police respond to reckless drone flying. Now that we’ve covered the national rules, let’s drill down into what Utah adds on top of these.

Utah State Drone Laws and Regulations

Utah has its own set of drone laws enacted by the state legislature. These laws are in addition to the federal rules above. They generally aim to clarify what’s allowed, protect privacy and safety, and even make drone flying more uniform across the state. 

Here’s an overview of Utah’s state-level drone regulations:

• Statewide Preemption

Utah has a pre-emption law (Senate Bill 111, 2017) that prevents local city or county governments from making their own drone ordinances. This means you don’t have to worry about a patchwork of city-specific drone laws – the rules are consistent statewide. No local drone laws exist in Utah as of 2025 because state law reserves drone regulation to the state. So, whether you’re in Salt Lake City, Provo, or a small town, the same state rules apply.

• No State Aircraft Registration (Past Policy Changing)

Traditionally, Utah exempted drones from state aircraft registration requirements (also part of S.B. 111, 2017). However, Utah is now rolling out a state drone registration program for certain drones. In 2023, lawmakers passed S.B. 24 authorizing state drone registration and a fee system, and in 2024 S.B. 135 delayed its start to January 1, 2025. Most recently, S.B. 195 (2025) was enacted to require that all commercial UAS and advanced air mobility aircraft operating in Utah have a state registration certificate from UDOT (Utah Dept. of Transportation) starting in 2025. 

In other words, if you use drones for business in Utah, you’ll need to register not just with the FAA but also with the state. The state registration comes with a fee (draft rules suggested $15 per drone annually for drones under 55 lbs, more if heavier). Utah DOT will maintain a registry and even share it with the Tax Commission for oversight. This state registration push is part of Utah’s plan to support drone integration and infrastructure funding. If you’re a hobbyist, note: S.B. 195’s requirement targets commercial operations that require FAA certification. Recreational fliers are not the focus of state registration (and S.B.111’s exemption likely still covers purely hobby drones from needing state aircraft registration).

• Banning Weaponized Drones

Utah explicitly makes it illegal to fly a drone with a weapon attached. This was established by S.B. 111 (2017) and is codified in Utah Code §72-10-902. Flying a drone armed with any weapon is a class B misdemeanor in Utah. (Class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.) The only exceptions would be if you had specific authorization from the FAA or a contract with the U.S. military – which most civilians will never have. In short, no drone “turkey hunting” with guns, and definitely no James Bond-style armed drones – it’s a crime.

• Harassing Livestock

If you’re in Utah farm country, be very careful not to use your drone to bother animals. Utah House Bill 217 (2017) makes it illegal to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly chase, disturb, or harm livestock with a drone. This includes cattle, sheep, horses – basically any farm animals. Harassing livestock via UAS is classified as “harassment of livestock” under Utah Code (see §76-13-214) and can lead to serious penalties. In fact, repeat offenders can face a class A misdemeanor, which is up to 1 year in jail and $2,500 fine. This law was prompted by ranchers’ concerns over drones spooking their animals. So if you’re flying over someone’s ranch, keep your distance from the herd – chasing a cow with your drone could literally get you arrested (no joke).

• Trespass and Privacy

Utah has strengthened trespassing laws to include drones. Under S.B. 111 (2017), the state expanded the definition of criminal trespass to cover drones that enter and remain above private property without permission if it’s done with intent to spy, peer, or otherwise violate the owner’s privacy. In Utah Code §76-6-206, it’s illegal to fly a drone over someone’s fenced yard or other private area that isn’t open to the public when you know you’re not allowed to Simply put, your neighbor’s backyard is not fair game for your drone footage. If you knowingly hover over private property to gawk or record, you could be charged with trespass or voyeurism. Utah also clarified that using “any type of technology, including UAS” to secretly record someone in certain private places is an act of voyeurism (a class B misdemeanor). That means if you use a drone to peek into windows or over fences in a manner that violates someone’s privacy, you’re committing a crime.

• Law Enforcement Drone Use – Warrants and Limits: Utah was ahead of the curve in establishing rules for police use of drones. Senate Bill 167 (2014) requires that law enforcement obtain a search warrant before using a drone for any sort of surveillance in areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. In other words, a Utah police department cannot just send up a drone to spy on your backyard or tap into drone video data without either your consent or a judge’s warrant, except in special circumstances.
  
  Utah law does allow some exceptions for urgent situations. House Bill 296 (2015) permits law enforcement to use drones without a warrant for specific purposes like search and rescue (locating a lost or missing person) or for scene reconstruction at a test site. Basically, if someone is missing in the wilderness or there’s a disaster, drones can be used to help find them or gather data, since there’s no privacy expectation in those emergency contexts.
  
  Additionally, Utah requires transparency when police do use drones. S.B. 111 (2017) says law enforcement agencies must create an official record of each use of a UAS, including information about why it was used and what data was gathered. This accountability helps ensure drones aren’t being misused behind the scenes.

• Government Drone Restrictions (Foreign Equipment): A recent Utah law addresses what kind of drones public agencies can use. S.B. 135 (2024) prohibits Utah government entities from using drones made by certain foreign “covered” manufacturers (like Chinese-made DJI drones) for critical infrastructure inspections. This law, effective January 1, 2025, was driven by cybersecurity concerns. 

Agencies can still use those drones if they follow strict data security steps (e.g. not connecting to the internet during flights, wiping data after), but the trend is that Utah wants government drones to be more secure and ideally American-made.

So, if you’re a government contractor or public employee: be aware you might not be allowed to use your DJI drone for that bridge inspection anymore (Utah Code 72-10-12). Utah is aligning with federal moves (like the American Security Drone Act) to avoid certain foreign drones

Now that we’ve covered the legal basics by category, let’s talk about where you can and cannot fly in Utah specifically, and the kind of no-fly zones or special restrictions that exist in the state.

Drone No-Fly Zones and Special Restrictions in Utah

Even with all the federal and state laws above, one of the most common questions is, “Can I fly my drone here?” Whether “here” is your neighborhood, a park, or near an event, you need to know the geographic restrictions. Here are key no-fly zones and special rules in Utah:

• Wildfire Zones: Utah has had serious issues with drones interfering in wildfire fighting. It is against Utah law to fly a drone anywhere near a wildfire scene under a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR). When a wildfire is burning, the FAA typically issues a TFR banning civilian aircraft, including drones. Utah Code §65A-3-2.5 makes it a crime to fly a UAS in or over a designated wildland fire area without permission from the incident commander. Penalties escalate if you cause real harm. Simply flying in a wildfire TFR is usually a misdemeanor – in fact, after incidents in 2016, Utah set penalties up to a year in jail and $2,500 fine for interfering with firefighting. If your drone actually causes a firefighting aircraft to divert or (worst-case) crash, you could face felony charges. 

For example, in 2016 a drone intrusion forced firefighting planes to be grounded on a wildfire in Southern Utah, prompting the governor to call for harsher punishments. In 2023 and 2025, multiple drone incursions around the Buckley Draw Fire in Provo repeatedly shut down aerial firefighting operations. Fire officials were outraged – as one said, “no photo or social media following is worth the risk to our firefighters”. So never fly near wildfires. Your drone will ground the fire helicopters. It’s not just dangerous – it’s illegal and could make you the reason a fire grows.

• Airports and Aircraft: By federal law, you must stay well clear of airports and manned aircraft. Utah reinforces this: Under Utah Code §72-10-1002, it’s unlawful to operate a UAS in a manner that interferes with operations at any airport or heliport. For practical purposes, always keep at least 5 miles away from airports unless you have explicit FAA permission. For smaller airports or heliports, maintain a safe distance and observe all FAA airspace rules (use LAANC if available to get authorization in controlled airspace). 

If you fly near Salt Lake City International (Class B airspace), you must have FAA approval – otherwise you’re breaking both federal and state law. There have been cases outside Utah of drone pilots being arrested for flying too close to airports (for instance, two men were arrested for flying a drone near Boston’s Logan Airport and charged with trespassing in 2024). Drones nearly colliding with police helicopters are egregious violations. Never endanger manned aircraft. It can not only result in FAA fines, but in Utah you could be prosecuted under general endangerment or interference laws.

• National Parks: Utah’s five national parks (Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands) offer stunning vistas – but you cannot fly drones in national parks. The U.S. National Park Service has a policy (since 2014) that prohibits launching, landing, or operating drones within national park boundaries without a special permit. This is a federal rule, not state, but it’s worth noting because Utah has so many popular park areas. If you bring a drone to Moab or Zion, you’ll need to find areas outside the national parks (and outside wilderness areas) to fly. Violation can result in federal penalties and confiscation of your drone. Enjoy the parks with your eyes or ground camera – leave the drone packed away.
• Utah State Parks: State parks in Utah have varying rules – some allow drones with permits, others have seasonal bans. According to the Utah Division of State Parks:
  • Parks allowing recreational drones with a permit include Jordanelle State Park, Wasatch Mountain State Park, Fred Hayes State Park (at Starvation), and Sand Hollow State Park. You need to obtain a drone permit from park management (often a small fee) to fly for fun in those parks. For any commercial drone use (like filming for a production), a special use permit is required in state parks.
  • Dead Horse Point State Park (popular for its canyon views) has a seasonal no-fly: drones are prohibited March through October. In the off-season (Nov–Feb), you can fly only with a permit and only in designated areas outside the “No Drone Zone.” There’s a $10 permit fee.
  • Great Salt Lake State Park – drones are by permit only year-round.
  • Antelope Island State Park – no drones March through November (to protect wildlife and visitors). In winter (Dec–Feb), drones can fly only in a specific drone zone and you must get a recreational drone permit from the park.
  • Utah Lake State Park – drones are prohibited entirely (likely due to proximity to an airport and wildlife).
    

These are just examples; rules can differ at each state park, so always check the specific park’s website or visitor center. The trend is that many parks limit drones during peak seasons or require permits to ensure safety and enjoyment of all visitors. So, before you launch in a state park, ask: Do I have permission here? If not, you risk a citation from park rangers. Fortunately, Utah has plenty of open public lands where drones are allowed – just avoid the parks or get the proper permit.

• Critical Infrastructure: Aside from the prison rule and wildfire rule, Utah doesn’t list every piece of infrastructure, but generally avoid flying near power plants, water treatment facilities, communication towers, and other sensitive sites. In 2023, the FAA established guidelines for Critical Infrastructure & Public Venues and there may be restricted airspace over some of these (marked as security-sensitive airspace on FAA maps). Also, Utah’s push to restrict foreign drones for infrastructure inspections shows they’re keeping an eye on critical sites. To be safe, treat places like oil refineries, military bases, and hospitals as off-limits unless you have permission. If you’re not sure, err on the side of caution and find a different place to fly.
  

Penalties and Examples of Drone Law Violations

We’ve mentioned the penalties throughout, but let’s summarize what can happen if you break drone laws – and share a few more Utah examples to drive the point home (so you can avoid their mistakes!).

• Federal Penalties

The FAA can pursue civil fines for violations of its regulations. As of 2024, fines can go up to $75,000 per violation for serious infractions (previously $1,100 per violation for hobbyists and $11,000 for commercial was common, but Congress dramatically increased the caps). For example, the FAA proposed a $32,700 fine against one drone operator who flew recklessly near a helicopter in Florida, and tens of thousands in other cases like flying during a Super Bowl TFR. If you blatantly fly in controlled airspace without permission, or over people, or at night with no lights, and especially if someone’s endangered, expect the FAA to come knocking. They also might suspend or revoke your Remote Pilot license if you have one. In addition, criminal charges can apply for extreme cases – e.g., if you purposely interfere with a manned aircraft, you could face federal criminal prosecution (fines up to $250k and imprisonment). The FAA has even involved the FBI in cases (like a man who planned to use a drone as a weapon – he was arrested by the FBI). So while most hobbyists won’t run into criminal issues, know that the worst-case scenario for drone misuse is very serious.

• State Penalties in Utah

Utah classifies most drone crimes as misdemeanors or low-level felonies, depending on severity:

• • A Class B misdemeanor (like standard voyeurism or flying a weaponized drone) can mean up to 6 months in county jail and a $1,000 fine. Many first-time offenses might be Class B.
  • A Class A misdemeanor (like a second offense of harassing livestock, or reckless wildfire interference under certain conditions) can mean up to 1 year in jail and $2,500 fine.
  • A Third-degree felony (e.g. delivering contraband to a prison, or causing substantial risk to manned aircraft) is punishable by up to 5 years in state prison and $5,000 fine. This is serious – a felony conviction is life-altering.
  • A Second-degree felony (the worst that drone misconduct could trigger, such as causing a firefighting aircraft to crash) can be 1 to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 fine. Utah deliberately made it a second-degree felony if a drone causes a manned aircraft to crash during wildfire operations. So far, we haven’t seen that happen (thankfully), but the law is there.
• On top of legal penalties, if you damage someone’s property or injure someone with your drone, you could be civilly liable for damages too. And at the very least, your drone could be confiscated as evidence.
  

On The Wrong Side Of The Law

Wildfire Violators: During the 2020 wildfire season, officials reported multiple incursions and actively tried to track down the drone pilots. Even if some pilots weren’t immediately caught, the FAA and Utah law enforcement opened investigations. Drones often capture their pilot’s GPS or video, so finding the perpetrator after the fact is very possible (as seen in the Orem voyeur case). Don’t risk it – that footage of a wildfire isn’t worth a felony record.

Neighbor Disputes: We’ve already covered the Orem spying case. Consider also the scenario of flying over your neighbor’s backyard. Even if you’re just trying to get a scenic shot, if your neighbor feels harassed or that you violated their privacy, they can report it. Police in Utah have, in fact, encouraged residents to call if they spot suspicious drone activity (like Orem did). If an officer determines your flight violated the trespass or voyeurism laws, you could be cited or charged. Tip: If you’re flying in a neighborhood, it’s wise to communicate with neighbors. Let them know you’ll be filming the sunset, not their yard. A little courtesy can prevent a misunderstanding that leads to a legal headache.

FAA Enforcement: While Utah has its own laws, the FAA often takes the lead on airspace violations. In one notable case (not in Utah, but instructive), a drone pilot was fined $182,000 by the FAA for numerous reckless flights posting YouTube videos. The FAA is actively watching social media for rule breakers. If you, say, post a video ripping through downtown Salt Lake at 100 mph FPV, or flying close to an aircraft, don’t be surprised if the FAA contacts you. In Utah, the FAA’s regional flight standards office works with local police. In fact, the FAA has published guidance to local law enforcement on how to handle drone complaints. This partnership means if someone calls 911 about a drone, the local officer can enforce state laws (like trespass) and also gather evidence for the FAA to pursue federal violations. So you might get a double whammy: a state charge and a federal fine.

Utah is a drone-friendly place if you follow the rules. The state is actively integrating drones into transportation plans and wants to be a leader in the drone industry. But Utah also demands that pilots fly safely, respect privacy, and stay clear of emergencies. As a drone operator in Utah, you have the responsibility to know the national FAA rules and the Utah-specific laws before you take off. If you’re ever unsure about a particular flight, take the time to research (the FAA’s B4UFLY app is a great resource for airspace info, and Utah’s DOT website and state park resources can clarify local restrictions).