Kansas Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Kansas maintains one of the lightest drone regulatory frameworks in the country. The state has no separate registration, licensing, or insurance requirements beyond federal FAA rules. Primary restrictions are limited to harassment-based surveillance laws, a blanket ban on drones over Department of Wildlife and Parks land, and hunting prohibitions. Wichita and Prairie Village have local ordinances governing takeoff, landing, and operation on city property.
State Drone Laws
K.S.A. 60-31a02Harassment by Unmanned Aerial System
Amended the Protection from Stalking Act in 2016 to include drone operations. Prohibits any course of conduct carried out through the use of an unmanned aerial system over or near any dwelling, occupied vehicle, or other place where one may reasonably expect to be safe from uninvited intrusion or surveillance. A course of conduct requires two or more separate acts. Provides basis for civil protection-from-stalking orders and criminal stalking charges.
K.A.R. 115-8-13Unmanned Aerial System Use on KDWP Land
Prohibits the use of drones on any Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks property, including all state parks, wildlife areas, and KDWP-managed land. No drone operations permitted without explicit authorization. KDWP has indicated it is developing a list of state parks that may have designated drone-operating areas, but the default is a complete ban.
K.S.A. 32-1003Unlawful Methods of Taking Wildlife
Prohibits taking wildlife from aircraft, including drones. Prohibits using any mechanical device to locate game for the purpose of taking it. Prohibits drone use to locate wounded or harvested game or for fishing. Pre-existing statute regarding taking game from aircraft now explicitly applies to drones.
HSub SB 9 (Session Laws ch. 68)Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act
Prohibits any governmental agency (state or local subdivision) from purchasing drones or related services and equipment whose critical components were produced in a country of concern (China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela) or by a foreign principal. Applies to government procurement only; does not restrict private or commercial pilot operations.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
City of Wichita
cityRemote-Controlled Aircraft and Aeronautical Devices Ordinance
Prohibits the release, launch, or operation of remote radio-controlled aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, balloons, kites, rockets, gliders, and banner-towing at or from airport property, property immediately adjacent to or bordering airport property without prior written consent from the airport director.
Restrictions
No UAS operations at or near Wichita Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) without airport director's written consent. Scope is airport-proximity; integrates with Class C airspace (LAANC required).
City of Prairie Village
cityUnmanned Aerial Vehicle Ordinance
Restricts drone operations to prevent safety hazards and privacy violations. Prohibits flying a commercial or recreational drone over private property or near people without consent. Prohibits flying over large events (100+ people) without venue owner or event organizer permission. Allows recreational drone use over city-owned parks.
Restrictions
No flights over private property without owner consent. No flights over events with 100+ people without organizer consent. Recreational flights permitted over city parks.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone harassment — course of conduct over dwelling, vehicle, or private place (K.S.A. 60-31a02) | Class A Misdemeanor (first offense) / Severity Level 7 Person Felony (repeat offense) | First offense: up to $2,500; Repeat offense: up to $300,000 | First offense: up to 1 year; Repeat offense: 31 to 136 months | County and district attorneys, local law enforcement | Enforced through civil protection-from-stalking orders and criminal prosecution. Requires a course of conduct (two or more acts), not a single transient overflight. |
| Drone operation on KDWP land — state parks, wildlife areas (K.A.R. 115-8-13) | Class C Misdemeanor | Up to $500 | Up to 1 month | KDWP game wardens, Operation Game Thief (877-426-3843) | Blanket ban on all KDWP-managed property. No permit workaround exists; designated drone zones may be developed by KDWP. |
| Hunting, scouting, or locating game by drone; drone-assisted fishing (K.S.A. 32-1003) | Wildlife Violation | Per K.S.A. 32-1031 wildlife penalty schedule | Varies by severity | KDWP game wardens | Includes prohibition on locating wounded or harvested game by drone. |
| Drone launch or operation at/near Wichita Eisenhower National Airport without airport director consent (Wichita Code § 9.35.210) | Municipal Misdemeanor | Up to $500 | Up to 6 months | Wichita Police Department | Specific to airport proximity; integrates with Class C airspace LAANC requirements. Contact: Wichita Aviation Department 316-946-4710. |
| Drone flight over private property, near people, or over events without consent (Prairie Village ordinance) | Municipal Violation | Up to $500 | Up to 1 month | Prairie Village Police Department | Recreational use over city-owned parks is excepted. |
Drone harassment — course of conduct over dwelling, vehicle, or private place (K.S.A. 60-31a02)
Enforced through civil protection-from-stalking orders and criminal prosecution. Requires a course of conduct (two or more acts), not a single transient overflight.
Drone operation on KDWP land — state parks, wildlife areas (K.A.R. 115-8-13)
Blanket ban on all KDWP-managed property. No permit workaround exists; designated drone zones may be developed by KDWP.
Hunting, scouting, or locating game by drone; drone-assisted fishing (K.S.A. 32-1003)
Includes prohibition on locating wounded or harvested game by drone.
Drone launch or operation at/near Wichita Eisenhower National Airport without airport director consent (Wichita Code § 9.35.210)
Specific to airport proximity; integrates with Class C airspace LAANC requirements. Contact: Wichita Aviation Department 316-946-4710.
Drone flight over private property, near people, or over events without consent (Prairie Village ordinance)
Recreational use over city-owned parks is excepted.
Registration, Fees & Taxes
No additional state registration or fees in Kansas
Only standard federal FAA registration applies. No state registration, licensing, or drone-specific fees on record.
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Commercial License
Not Required
Sales Tax on Drones
Does Not Apply
Kansas does not require state-level drone registration beyond federal FAA registration. No state commercial license, insurance mandate, or additional permit requirements exist beyond FAA Part 107 for commercial operations and FAA registration for all drones over 0.55 lbs. Airspace authorization (LAANC) is required for controlled airspace but is federal, not state.
No state-level permit system exists. Local ordinances in Wichita and Prairie Village govern takeoff and landing on property they control.
No state insurance mandate. Insurance is optional but recommended for commercial operations.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Part 107 Certification
Commercial drone operators in Kansas must hold an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) to fly for business purposes.
Kansas has no separate state commercial license. All commercial operations are governed by FAA Part 107 rules. Testing available in Wichita, Topeka, Kansas City, and other cities. Certificate valid for 24 months before recertification required.
FAA Registration
All drones over 250 grams (0.55 lbs) must be registered with the FAA.
Registration costs $5 for 3 years through FAA DroneZone. Kansas residents must comply. No state registration alternative exists.
Remote ID Requirement
Mandatory since March 16, 2024, for all registered drones.
Drones must broadcast Remote ID information or operate inside a Federal Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Standard Remote ID or broadcast modules are acceptable.
TRUST Certification for Recreational Flying
Recreational drone operators must pass the free Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST).
TRUST is free, online, and available through multiple FAA-approved administrators. Completion certificate must be carried during flights. No Kansas state license required.
Altitude and Visual Line of Sight
Federal baseline altitude limit is 400 feet AGL. Visual Line of Sight required for most operations.
Kansas does not impose stricter limits. Daytime or civil twilight required unless waivered. Night operations permitted with anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles.
Controlled Airspace Authorization
LAANC or manual FAA coordination required for flights in controlled airspace.
Class C around Wichita (ICT) and Kansas City area (MCI), Class D around Topeka, Salina, and Manhattan. Airspace is the dominant constraint for most Kansas flights.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Kansas has not enacted a drone-specific critical infrastructure statute as of this writing. Pilots remain subject to general state laws on trespass, voyeurism, privacy, and reckless endangerment, and to all federal regulations including FAA Part 107.
Read the federal preemption guide →Airspace & LAANC
LAANC Coverage
LAANC is available and required for controlled airspace. Wichita Eisenhower National (ICT) is Class C airspace. Kansas City International (MCI, across Missouri border) is Class C. Topeka Forbes Field (FOE), Salina (SLN), and Manhattan (MHK) are Class D. LAANC authorization required before launch in these controlled zones.
Major Airports
ICT — Wichita Eisenhower NationalMCI — Kansas City International (Missouri border)FOE — Topeka Forbes FieldSLN — Salina RegionalMHK — Manhattan RegionalTOP — Philip Billard (Topeka)
TFR Notice
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) common around major events and federal installations. David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence (University of Kansas) and Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan (Kansas State) have event-based TFRs. McConnell Air Force Base (Wichita southeast) and Fort Riley/Fort Leavenworth are military restricted airspace. National Park Service units (Tallgrass Prairie, Fort Larned, Fort Scott, Brown v. Board, Nicodemus) have federal drone bans under 36 CFR § 1.5.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Sumner County Mystery Drones Investigation
enforcementMultiple residents in Sumner County (south of Mulvane) reported large quadcopter drones flying in grid patterns over homes and private properties in December 2024. Sumner County Sheriff's Office received multiple calls but did not identify or apprehend operators. Incident highlighted enforcement challenges under K.S.A. 60-31a02 when operators cannot be identified.
Kansas First Long-Range BVLOS Medical Supply Delivery
regulatory changeKansas conducted its first long-range beyond-visual-line-of-sight medical-supply delivery flight in August 2025, demonstrating advanced commercial drone capability. The state was an FAA UAS Integration Pilot Program lead and continues advancing drone integration.
Pending Legislation
HB 2423In Committee — House Committee on Federal and State AffairsAllowing hunters who are federally licensed drone operators to use drones to locate wounded or recently deceased deer
Would create an exception to K.S.A. 32-1003 to allow federally licensed drone operators to use drones specifically to locate wounded or recently deceased deer. If passed, would modify the blanket prohibition on using drones to locate game.
Last action: January 27, 2026
HB 2293In Committee — House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic DevelopmentProhibiting the acquisition of critical components of drone technology from countries of concern and the procurement of final or finished goods or services from countries of concern
Companion to enacted HSub SB 9 (2025). Further restricts procurement of drone critical components and finished goods from countries of concern by state and local agencies. May represent clarification or expansion of existing 2025 procurement law.
Last action: February 26, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kansas | KU requires approval from the Office of Environment, Health, Safety & Risk Management before conducting any drone operations on campus. All UAS flights must be pre-approved. David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium has a TFR during athletic events. Restrictions: Prior written approval from EHS required for all flights. No flights over buildings, crowds, or parking areas without specific authorization. Stadium TFR during athletic events. | Yes | Office of Environment, Health, Safety & Risk Management — ehs@ku.edu |
| Kansas State University | K-State requires coordination with the Division of Public Safety and campus Environmental Health & Safety for all drone operations. The university operates a nationally recognized UAS research program through the Applied Aviation Research Center and runs a UAS degree program at K-State Salina. Restrictions: Prior coordination with Division of Public Safety required. Bill Snyder Family Stadium has a TFR during athletic events. No flights over campus buildings or restricted research areas without specific authorization. | Yes | Division of Public Safety |
Last Updated
This page is automatically verified and updated weekly by our AI-powered legal research agent (v1.0.0). While we strive for accuracy, always verify critical information with official state sources.
Stay Compliant
Stay Compliant. Stay Organized.
Now that you know Kansas's drone laws, let PilotLedger help you stay on top of compliance. Manage your quotes, invoices, clients, and run your drone business from one platform.