Indiana Drone Laws (2026): State Rules, Local Ordinances & FAA

Prohibits knowingly operating a UAV with intent to peep into the space above or surrounding another person's occupied dwelling to capture images, photographs, or recordings. Amended in 2024 to include AI-generated and digitally altered intimate imagery.

Prohibits knowingly placing surveillance equipment or tracking equipment on another person's private property without consent. Applicable to drone-mounted surveillance and tracking devices.

Requires law enforcement officers to obtain a search warrant before using a drone to conduct surveillance, perform a search, or obtain photographs or videos of private property without the property owner's consent. Exceptions exist for aerial photographs of motor-vehicle accidents on public streets and situations where a warrant would not be required for the same search without a drone.

Prohibits knowingly using a UAV to search for, scout, locate, or detect a wild animal as an aid to taking the animal during the open hunting season for that animal or during the fourteen days immediately preceding the opening day. Exception added in March 2024: drone may be used to recover a legally harvested animal, provided no person in the recovery party is actively hunting or carrying hunting implements during the drone operation.

Prohibits operation of any motor-driven airborne device, including drones, at Indiana DNR properties except at sites specifically designated for that purpose. Covers state parks, state forests, state recreation areas, nature preserves, fish and wildlife areas, and reservoir properties. Narrow exceptions exist for: professional journalists working on natural or cultural resources stories (with FAA license documentation), university-affiliated researchers with appropriate DNR research permit, and state/regional/county tourism agencies (with FAA license and proof of insurance). All exceptions require advance written permission from the property manager.

Level 6 felony for knowingly entering the real property of a listed critical infrastructure facility without permission. Applicability to drone overflight is contested but remains a potential enforcement tool for sensitive facilities including Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane and other Department of Defense installations.

Prohibits registered sex offenders from knowingly or intentionally operating a UAV to: (1) intentionally follow one or more persons; (2) contact one or more persons; (3) deliberately capture images of one or more persons without consent; or (4) deliberately record video or audio of one or more persons without consent, when such conduct violates the conditions of their sex offender registration or probation.

Prohibits knowingly or intentionally operating a UAV in a manner that interferes with or obstructs a public safety official in the course of their official duties.

Prohibits using a UAV to harass, intimidate, or follow another person. Created or modified by HB 1249, signed March 12, 2026.

Restricts drone operation and prohibits use of drones to deliver contraband near state correctional facilities. Establishes criminal penalties for interference with correctional facility operations via UAS.

Authorizes Indiana State Police as the statewide coordinating agency for counter-UAS activities when authorized under federal law. Allows designation of local law enforcement agencies as participating agencies if they satisfy federal training and operational readiness requirements. Indianapolis designated as a pilot project location. Mitigation activities limited to those expressly authorized under federal law.

Permits law enforcement and authorized personnel to use drones to photograph or record video of traffic accident scenes on public streets and highways for investigation and documentation purposes.

Fort Wayne City Ordinance § 96.30 - Regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Requires UAS operators to file a notification form with the City of Fort Wayne before operating in designated restricted zones.