Arkansas Drone Laws

Prohibits using a drone to conduct surveillance of, gather evidence about, or photograph critical infrastructure without prior written consent of the owner. Critical infrastructure includes electrical power systems, petroleum facilities, chemical plants, railroads, communications towers, food processing plants, correctional facilities, natural-gas facilities, and similar structures.

Makes it an offense to purposely use a drone to capture an image of an individual or private property with the purpose of conducting surveillance, where the person or property owner has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Defenses include: promptly destroying the image without sharing it, capturing the image lawfully under statutory permitted uses, or being a law enforcement officer on duty.

Creates a separate offense for possessing, disclosing, displaying, distributing, or otherwise using an image captured in violation of § 5-60-103. Each image counts as a separate violation. Defenses include promptly destroying the image or having captured it lawfully.

Provides a civil remedy for property owners or tenants whose property or person was captured by a drone in violation of § 5-60-103 and where they had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Allows recovery of fixed statutory damages and attorney's fees. Two-year statute of limitations from date of capture or distribution.

Defines 25 specific lawful uses of drones to capture images in Arkansas, including: agricultural and research use by universities and Game and Fish Commission; utility inspection and maintenance; pipeline inspection; licensed real-estate brokers marketing properties; Arkansas-licensed surveyors and engineers doing mapping; insurance underwriting and claims; and images taken from no more than 8 feet above ground in public places without magnification. These uses are exempt from the image-surveillance offense under § 5-60-103(e).

Prohibits using an unmanned aircraft (among other devices) 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. Applies to drone surveillance of private areas.

Prohibits using an unmanned aircraft to look into a dwelling or private place inside a public accommodation for sexual gratification without consent. Drone hovering at a bedroom window or into a private space is prohibited.

Prohibits persons required to register as sex offenders and classified as Level 3 or Level 4 offenders from purchasing, owning, possessing, using, or operating an unmanned aircraft without employment authorization.

Makes it unlawful to hunt, drive, herd, or harass wildlife from or with an aircraft, including drones. Violation applies even if the operator never fires a shot; merely using a drone to locate or push wildlife is prohibited.

Prohibits hunting in any Arkansas state park or national park. Applies to all hunting methods including drone-assisted operations.

All UAS (drone) activities are prohibited in Arkansas State Parks unless approval is granted by the Director through a Special Use Permit. To secure a permit, applicants must submit a completed form, proof of FAA drone registration, and a copy of the pilot's liability insurance to parks.info@arkansas.gov.

Prohibits Arkansas state agencies from purchasing, owning, or operating drones manufactured or assembled by a 'covered foreign entity' (targeting China and Russia). State agencies must phase out existing foreign-made drones by May 1, 2027. Does not apply to private citizens or commercial drone operators.