Kansas Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Kansas maintains one of the most permissive drone regulatory environments in the United States, with no state-level pilot licensing, registration, or insurance requirements. The state has a single drone-specific statute (harassment under the Protection from Stalking Act amended in 2016) and a blanket prohibition on drone operations at state parks and wildlife areas. Local ordinances in Wichita and Prairie Village impose takeoff/landing restrictions but do not regulate airspace, which remains exclusively under FAA jurisdiction.
State Drone Laws
K.S.A. 60-31a02 (SB 319)Harassment by Unmanned Aerial System
Amends the Protection from Stalking Act to include drone operations. Prohibits any course of conduct (two or more acts) using an unmanned aerial system over or near any dwelling, occupied vehicle, or other place where one may reasonably expect privacy from uninvited surveillance.
K.A.R. 115-8-13Unmanned Aerial Systems Prohibited on Department of Wildlife and Parks Land
Prohibits the use of unmanned aerial systems on any Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks property, including all state parks, wildlife areas, and KDWP-managed parcels. Limited designated UAS operating areas may be approved by KDWPT Secretary, but default is a complete ban.
K.S.A. 32-1003 & K.S.A. 32-701Unlawful Methods of Taking Wildlife; Prohibition on Using Drones for Hunting and Scouting
Prohibits using aircraft, including drones, to take wildlife. Bars using drones to scout game, locate wounded or harvested game, or to fish. Drones cannot be used to film hunts on KDWP land.
HSub SB 9 (Session Laws ch. 68)Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act — Government Drone Procurement Restriction
Prohibits any governmental agency (state and local subdivisions) from purchasing or using drones or drone-related services/equipment whose critical components were produced in a country of concern (China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela) or by a foreign principal. Compliance date July 1, 2025. Does not restrict private or commercial pilot drone operations.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
City of Wichita
cityRemote Control Aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Near Airports
Prohibits the launch, operation, or release of unmanned aerial vehicles on or near airport property or property immediately adjacent to and bordering airport property without the airport director's prior written consent.
Restrictions
No UAS operation at or near Wichita Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) or airport-adjacent property without written authorization from airport director. Violation is a misdemeanor with maximum $500 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment.
City of Prairie Village
cityUnmanned Aerial Vehicle Operations
Restricts drone flights based on proximity to people, private property consent, and event attendance thresholds.
Restrictions
Prohibits flying within close proximity to any person to a degree that is offensive to a reasonable expectation of safety from bodily harm. Prohibits flying over private property without the property owner's consent. Prohibits flying over open-air events with more than 100 people without event organizer permission. Recreational use permitted over city-owned parks with restrictions.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone harassment — course of conduct surveillance over dwelling/vehicle (K.S.A. 60-31a02) | Class A Misdemeanor (first offense) | Up to $2,500 | Up to 1 year | Local law enforcement, county/district attorney | Can result in civil protection-from-stalking order. Repeat offenses escalate to severity level 7 felony. Requires two or more acts to constitute harassment. |
| Drone stalking — repeat offense (K.S.A. 60-31a02 + K.S.A. 21-5427) | Severity Level 7 Person Felony | Up to $300,000 | 31-136 months | County/district attorney | Applied when harassment escalates to criminal stalking involving a course of conduct with drone surveillance. |
| Unlawful drone use on KDWP land — state parks, wildlife areas (K.A.R. 115-8-13) | Class C Misdemeanor | Up to $500 | Up to 1 month | Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks game wardens, local law enforcement | Applies to all state parks and KDWP-managed property. Report violations to Operation Game Thief at 877-426-3843. |
| Operating UAS at/near airport without authorization (Wichita § 9.35.210) | Misdemeanor | Up to $500 | Up to 6 months | Wichita Police Department | Applies to Wichita Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) and immediately adjacent property. |
| Taking, scouting, or locating game by drone (K.S.A. 32-1003) | Wildlife Violation | Varies per K.S.A. 32-1031 | Up to 1 month | KDWP game wardens, local law enforcement | Includes use of drones to scout, hunt, or locate wounded/harvested game. Also applies to drone use for fishing. |
Drone harassment — course of conduct surveillance over dwelling/vehicle (K.S.A. 60-31a02)
Can result in civil protection-from-stalking order. Repeat offenses escalate to severity level 7 felony. Requires two or more acts to constitute harassment.
Drone stalking — repeat offense (K.S.A. 60-31a02 + K.S.A. 21-5427)
Applied when harassment escalates to criminal stalking involving a course of conduct with drone surveillance.
Unlawful drone use on KDWP land — state parks, wildlife areas (K.A.R. 115-8-13)
Applies to all state parks and KDWP-managed property. Report violations to Operation Game Thief at 877-426-3843.
Operating UAS at/near airport without authorization (Wichita § 9.35.210)
Applies to Wichita Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) and immediately adjacent property.
Taking, scouting, or locating game by drone (K.S.A. 32-1003)
Includes use of drones to scout, hunt, or locate wounded/harvested game. Also applies to drone use for fishing.
Registration Requirements
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Kansas does not require state-level drone registration. Federal FAA registration ($5 for 3 years) is required for any drone over 250g (0.55 lb).
No state permit required for recreational or commercial flights. Local city ordinances (Wichita, Prairie Village) may require approval for specific locations. LAANC authorization required in controlled airspace around Wichita (Class C), Kansas City metro (Class B/C), Topeka, Salina, and Manhattan (Class D).
Insurance not mandated by state law but recommended for commercial operations.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Part 107 — Commercial Unmanned Aircraft
Remote Pilot Certificate required for all commercial drone operations.
Kansas commercial operators must obtain FAA Part 107 certificate ($175 test fee, 60-question knowledge test, valid 24 months). No state-level commercial license or business permit required. All commercial operations subject to FAA Part 107 rules and limitations.
Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
Free online safety test required for recreational drone flights.
Recreational operators must pass free TRUST test before flying. Carry proof of completion. Test available through multiple FAA-approved administrators. Kansas does not impose additional state overlay or licensing requirement.
Remote ID
All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID since March 16, 2024.
Standard Remote ID, broadcast module, or operation inside FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) required. Kansas has no state exemptions or alternative requirements.
Altitude Limit
400 feet AGL is the ceiling for most flights under FAA rules.
Kansas does not lower this limit. LAANC may approve different ceilings near airports depending on coordination with local air traffic control.
Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
Pilots must maintain VLOS during daylight or civil twilight unless waivered.
Night operations allowed with anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles. Part 107 night operations no longer require waiver as of 2023 for operations over people and moving vehicles under specified conditions.
National Park Service Drone Ban
Drones prohibited in all NPS units under 36 CFR § 1.5.
Kansas NPS sites include Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (Flint Hills), Fort Larned, Fort Scott, Brown v. Board, and Nicodemus. All are off-limits for drone launches and landings.
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 available at 726 airports nationwide, including key Kansas locations: Wichita Eisenhower (ICT, Class C), Kansas City International (MCI, just across line in Missouri, Class B/C airspace shelf extends into Kansas), Topeka Forbes Field (FOE, Class D), Salina (SLN, Class D), Manhattan (MHK, Class D).
Major Airports
ICT — Wichita Eisenhower National Airport (Class C)MCI — Kansas City International (Missouri side, Class B/C airspace shelf extends into Kansas suburbs)FOE — Topeka Forbes Field (Class D)SLN — Salina Regional Airport (Class D)MHK — Manhattan Regional Airport (Class D)
TFR Notice
McConnell Air Force Base southeast of Wichita adds military restricted airspace. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) common around major events (sports, political, sporting events at state capitals). Check B4UFLY before every flight. Stadium TFRs apply during athletic events at University of Kansas and Kansas State University.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Sumner County Mystery Drone Sightings
enforcementMultiple residents of Sumner County (south of Mulvane) reported large quadcopter drones flying over homes and private properties in grid patterns. Sumner County Sheriff's Office received multiple calls but could not directly observe or identify drones. No arrests or charges filed.
HSub SB 9 Signed Into Law
regulatory changeGovernor signed House Substitute for Senate Bill 9 (Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act), restricting government agencies from purchasing drones with components from countries of concern (China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela). Effective July 1, 2025.
Kansas First Long-Range BVLOS Medical Supply Delivery
newsKansas conducted its first long-range beyond-visual-line-of-sight medical-supply delivery as part of the FAA BEYOND program, demonstrating the state's leadership in advanced drone operations and UAS integration.
Pending Legislation
HB2423In 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 allow hunters holding FAA Part 107 commercial drone licenses to use drones to locate wounded or recently deceased deer, creating a limited exception to the current blanket hunting/scouting ban under K.S.A. 32-1003.
Last action: January 27, 2026
HB2293In Committee — Commerce, Labor and Economic DevelopmentProhibiting the acquisition of critical components of drone technology from countries of concern
Would prohibit 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. Similar in scope to HSub SB 9 (signed April 2025); current status unclear.
Last action: February 26, 2026
SB453In Committee — Senate Committee on Federal and State AffairsEnacting the Kansas critical infrastructure protection act
Would enact the Kansas Critical Infrastructure Protection Act to prohibit access to state critical infrastructure by countries of concern and restrict acquisition of critical software and other technology from countries of concern. Broader scope than drone-specific bills; may include drone technology as part of critical infrastructure.
Last action: February 4, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kansas | KU requires prior approval from the Office of Environment, Health, Safety & Risk Management for all unmanned aerial system operations on campus. David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium operates under a TFR during football games. Restrictions: All drone flights on or over campus require prior written approval from EHS&RM. No flights during stadium TFR during Jayhawk football games. No flights over buildings, crowds, or athletic facilities without explicit authorization. | Yes | 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 before drone flights. The university operates a UAS research program through the Applied Aviation Research Center and K-State Salina's nationally recognized UAS degree program. Restrictions: Coordination with Division of Public Safety required before any drone operation on campus. Bill Snyder Family Stadium operates under a TFR during athletic events. No flights over campus buildings or sensitive facilities without prior approval. | Yes | Division of Public Safety — (785) 532-6412 |
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.
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