Kansas Drone Laws (2026): State Rules, Local Ordinances & FAA
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Kansas maintains one of the most permissive drone regulatory environments in the United States. The state has minimal drone-specific legislation, with the principal statute folding drone surveillance into existing harassment law (K.S.A. 60-31a02) rather than creating standalone drone restrictions. State law imposes no drone registration, licensing, or insurance requirements beyond federal FAA rules, though local ordinances in Wichita and Prairie Village do regulate takeoff, landing, and operations on municipal property.
State Drone Laws
K.S.A. 60-31a02Drone Surveillance as Harassment (Protection from Stalking Act)
Expands the definition of harassment under the Protection from Stalking Act to include 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. Requires a course of conduct (two or more separate acts) to constitute harassment.
K.A.R. 115-8-13Drones Prohibited on KDWP Land
Prohibits drone use at any Kansas state park, wildlife area, or other property owned or managed by the Department of Wildlife and Parks. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is developing a list of state parks with designated drone-operating areas, but no permit-on-request exception exists in the current regulation.
K.S.A. 32-1003Unlawful Use of Aircraft to Take Wildlife
Prohibits taking game from aircraft (including drones) and providing the location of game by mechanical device for the purpose of taking it. Applies to hunting, scouting game, locating wounded or harvested game, and fishing. Drone use to film hunts is prohibited on KDWP land.
HSub SB 9, Session Laws ch. 68Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act - Government Drone Procurement Restrictions
Prohibits any governmental agency (state or local subdivision) from purchasing drones or related critical components from foreign principals or manufactured in countries of concern (China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela). Compliance date: July 1, 2025. Does not restrict private or commercial pilot operations.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
City of Wichita
cityRemote Control Aircraft and Aeronautical Devices Prohibition
Prohibits the release, launch, or operation of remote radio-controlled aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, balloons, kites, rockets, gliders, and banner-towing at or from any airport, airport property, or property immediately adjacent to and bordering airport property without prior written consent from the airport director.
Restrictions
No drones at or near Wichita Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) or adjacent property without airport director's written consent. Violation is a misdemeanor punishable by fine up to $500 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment.
City of Prairie Village
cityUnmanned Aerial Vehicle Ordinance
Restricts drone operations within proximity of any person to a degree that is offensive to a reasonable expectation of safety from bodily harm. Prohibits flying drones over private property without the consent of the property owner or lawful occupant, and prohibits flying over open-air events where more than 100 people are gathered without the consent of the venue owner or event organizer. Exception: recreational drone use over city-owned parks is permitted.
Restrictions
No flying within proximity of people without consent; no flying over private property without owner consent; no flying over events with 100+ people without organizer consent. Recreational use in city parks allowed. Violation is a municipal violation with fine up to $500 and/or up to 1 month imprisonment.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone surveillance constituting harassment (K.S.A. 60-31a02) | Class A Misdemeanor (first offense) | Up to $2,500 | Up to 1 year | Local Law Enforcement / County and District Attorneys | Repeat offenses escalate to severity level 7 person felony with fines up to $300,000 and imprisonment of 31-136 months. Civil protection-from-stalking order also available. |
| Drone use on KDWP land (state parks, wildlife areas) | Class C Misdemeanor | Up to $500 | Up to 1 month | Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens | Can be reported to Operation Game Thief at 877-426-3843 |
| Taking, hunting, scouting, or locating wildlife with drone (K.S.A. 32-1003) | Wildlife Violation | Varies by species per K.S.A. 32-1031 | Varies | Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks | Includes locating wounded or harvested game, using drone to fish, or filming hunts on KDWP land |
| Wichita ordinance - drone operation near airport property without consent | Misdemeanor | Up to $500 | Up to 6 months | Wichita Police Department | Applies to Wichita Eisenhower National Airport and adjacent property |
| Prairie Village ordinance - unauthorized drone flight | Municipal Violation | Up to $500 | Up to 1 month | Prairie Village Police Department | Applies to flights near people, over private property, or over events with 100+ people without consent |
Drone surveillance constituting harassment (K.S.A. 60-31a02)
Repeat offenses escalate to severity level 7 person felony with fines up to $300,000 and imprisonment of 31-136 months. Civil protection-from-stalking order also available.
Drone use on KDWP land (state parks, wildlife areas)
Can be reported to Operation Game Thief at 877-426-3843
Taking, hunting, scouting, or locating wildlife with drone (K.S.A. 32-1003)
Includes locating wounded or harvested game, using drone to fish, or filming hunts on KDWP land
Wichita ordinance - drone operation near airport property without consent
Applies to Wichita Eisenhower National Airport and adjacent property
Prairie Village ordinance - unauthorized drone flight
Applies to flights near people, over private property, or over events with 100+ people without consent
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. Commercial operators must obtain FAA Part 107 certification, and recreational operators must pass the TRUST test. No state pilot license, no state insurance mandate, and no additional state business permits or fees are required for drone operations in Kansas.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Part 107 Commercial Operations
FAA Part 107 certification required for commercial drone work
Kansas commercial drone operators must obtain FAA Remote Pilot Certificate ($175 knowledge test). No additional state-level commercial licensing is required. Aerospace and agriculture are primary commercial markets in Kansas.
TRUST Recreational Operations
Free Recreational UAS Safety Test required for hobby flying
Recreational pilots must pass TRUST and carry proof of completion. FAA registration ($5 for 3 years) required for drones over 250g (0.55 lbs).
Remote ID Compliance
Standard Remote ID, broadcast module, or FRIA operation required
Mandatory since March 16, 2024. All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID information or operate within a FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA).
Controlled Airspace Authorization
LAANC authorization required for operations in Class B, C, D, and surface E airspace
Wichita (ICT) and Kansas City metro (MCI) are Class C. Topeka, Salina, and Manhattan are Class D. LAANC available through FAA-approved service providers for near-real-time authorization.
Altitude and Operating Rules
400 feet AGL ceiling and visual line of sight requirements
Part 107 commercial and recreational flights limited to 400 feet above ground level. Visual line of sight required unless waivered. Daylight or civil twilight operations unless FAA-approved for night flight with anti-collision lighting.
Aircraft Sabotage Prohibition
Shooting down or damaging a drone is a federal felony
18 U.S.C. § 32 makes destroying an aircraft (including drones) a federal crime. Report drone harassment to law enforcement; do not attempt to shoot down or damage a drone.
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 major Kansas airports. Class C airspace at Wichita Eisenhower (ICT) and Kansas City International (MCI, just across line in Missouri). Class D airspace at Topeka Forbes Field (FOE), Salina (SLN), and Manhattan (MHK). Check B4UFLY for current LAANC availability and authorization.
Major Airports
ICT — Wichita Eisenhower National Airport (Class C)MCI — Kansas City International Airport (Class C, Missouri side)FOE — Forbes Field / Topeka Regional Airport (Class D)SLN — Salina Regional Airport (Class D)MHK — Manhattan Regional Airport (Class D)
TFR Notice
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) may be issued around military installations: McConnell Air Force Base (southeast Wichita), Fort Riley, and Fort Leavenworth. Always check B4UFLY or NOTAM before flying.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
No recent enforcement actions or news on record.
Pending Legislation
HB 2423In CommitteeAllowing hunters who are federally licensed drone operators to use drones to locate wounded or recently deceased deer
Would allow hunters who are federally licensed (FAA Part 107) drone operators to use drones to locate wounded or recently deceased deer. Currently prohibited under K.S.A. 32-1003. Would create an exception to the blanket prohibition on using drones to take or locate wildlife.
Last action: January 27, 2026
HB 2293In CommitteeProhibiting 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 to HSub SB 9 (2025), which already addresses government drone procurement restrictions. May represent a complementary or alternative approach to foreign technology restrictions.
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 for all drone operations on campus. Applies to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium with Temporary Flight Restriction during football games. Restrictions: Prior approval required for all campus flights. Temporary Flight Restriction active during athletic events at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. | Yes | Office of Environment, Health, Safety & Risk Management |
| Kansas State University | K-State requires coordination with the Division of Public Safety and campus Environmental Health & Safety for drone flights. The university operates a UAS research program through the Applied Aviation Research Center and is home to a nationally recognized drone pilot degree program. Restrictions: Coordination with Division of Public Safety required. Temporary Flight Restriction active during events at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. | 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.
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