Arkansas Drone Laws

Prohibits knowingly using a drone to conduct surveillance of, gather evidence about, or record critical infrastructure without prior written consent of the owner. Critical infrastructure includes electrical power generation and delivery systems, petroleum refineries, chemical and rubber manufacturing plants, petroleum and chemical storage facilities, railroad operating facilities, communication towers and broadband facilities, food processing plants, correctional and detention facilities, and natural-gas distribution and transmission lines. Lawful carve-outs exist for flights over your own property, authorized insurer documentation, law-enforcement official work, and DOT/public works operations.

Prohibits purposely using a drone to capture an image of an individual or private property with the intent to conduct surveillance on that person or property. Image definition includes still photos, video, thermal imaging, infrared, ultraviolet, and electromagnetic wave captures—the broadest definition in the US. Defenses: immediate destruction without sharing, capture under permitted lawful uses, or law-enforcement duty. Created by Act 597 of 2025 (Arkansas Privacy Act), effective approximately 90 days after May 5, 2025.

Criminalizes the possession, disclosure, display, distribution, or use of any image captured in violation of § 5-60-103. Each image constitutes a separate violation. Defenses include prompt destruction or lawful capture under permitted uses.

Provides property owners and tenants a civil remedy for drone image violations. Owners whose property or person was captured in violation of § 5-60-103 (with reasonable expectation of privacy) may sue to enjoin future flights and recover statutory damages. Two-year statute of limitations. Court awards costs and attorney's fees to prevailing party. Actual damages available if disclosure was malicious.

Establishes 25 specific lawful uses for drone image capture in Arkansas, created by Act 597 of 2025. Permitted uses include: agricultural and research use (including Game and Fish Commission), utility inspection and maintenance (electric, natural gas, water), pipeline inspection, licensed real-estate marketing without identifiable persons, surveying and GIS work, insurance underwriting and claims assessment, law-enforcement operations under valid search warrant or in specific emergencies (pursuit, crime scenes, missing persons, tactical operations, search and rescue, declared emergencies), and images taken from no more than 8 feet above ground in public places without magnification.

Prohibits knowingly using an unmanned vehicle or aircraft or concealed recording equipment to secretly record another person for the purpose of viewing any part of the body where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, without consent. Explicitly names drones in the statute.

Makes it unlawful to look into a dwelling or private place within a public accommodation through the use of an unmanned vehicle or aircraft for sexual gratification. Explicitly names drones in the statute.

Prohibits a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act of 1997 who has been assessed as a Level 3 or Level 4 offender from purchasing, owning, possessing, using, or operating an unmanned aircraft, unless the operation is required as part of their employment.

Makes it unlawful to hunt, drive, herd, or harass wildlife from or with an aircraft, including unmanned aircraft. Applies statewide to all wildlife. The regulation is applied to drones by the AGFC and enforced by wildlife officers.

Arkansas State Parks prohibit all unmanned aircraft system (UAS) activities in all 52 state parks unless the operator obtains a Special Use Permit from the State Parks Director. Permits are issued on a per-visit basis. Applicants must submit proof of FAA registration and liability insurance.

Prohibits Arkansas state agencies and public entities from purchasing small drones manufactured or assembled by a 'covered foreign entity' (defined to include China and Russia). Requires agencies to phase out existing foreign-made drones by May 1, 2027, with waivers available through the Department of Transformation and Shared Services. This applies only to government procurement; private citizens and commercial Part 107 operators are not restricted.