Louisiana Drone Laws

Prohibits intentional use of a drone to conduct surveillance of, gather evidence about, or record a 'targeted facility' including petroleum and alumina refineries, chemical and rubber manufacturing plants, nuclear power generation facilities, schools and school premises, grain elevators and storage, and critical infrastructure (electrical substations, water treatment plants, natural-gas compressor stations, LNG terminals, ports, railroad yards, pipelines). Requires owner's prior written consent.

Prohibits flying a drone over the grounds of the governor's mansion or any state or local jail, prison, or other correctional facility without express written consent of the person in charge.

Prohibits surveillance, recording, or interference with a federal or state military installation, facility, aircraft, ship, or weapon system without the commander's prior written consent. Added in 2025 as amendment expanding RS 14:337.

Makes it a crime for an unauthorized person to intentionally fly a drone over any parade or parade route for which a government permit was issued. Specifically names Mardi Gras, carnival, and pre-Lenten festivities, as well as school, parish, state, and municipal parades and permitted demonstrations. Organizers must post 'Drone No Fly Zone' notices along all parade routes. Lack of knowledge of the rule is not a defense.

Authorizes law enforcement officers and agencies to take 'mitigation measures' against drones flown in a 'nefarious manner' (spying, smuggling contraband, facilitating crime, or posing direct threat to public safety). Measures include detection, tracking, interception, and disabling via jamming, hacking, or physical capture. Officers may only act on reasonable suspicion that the drone is tied to criminal activity, poses imminent threat, or violates state or federal law. Louisiana was the first state to grant this authority to state and local police.

Makes it a crime to use a drone equipped with a camera or image-recording device to observe, photograph, or film a person without their consent, where that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Applies to lewd or lascivious purposes. One of the few state statutes that explicitly names drones as a tool for video voyeurism.

Establishes that the state of Louisiana has exclusive jurisdiction to regulate unmanned aircraft systems. State law preempts and supersedes any rule, regulation, code, or ordinance passed by any political subdivision or local government. Does not limit FAA's exclusive authority over airspace and does not prevent property owners (including cities and parks) from restricting drone operations on their own property.

Establishes framework for using unmanned aerial systems in commercial farming operations (crops, livestock, farm-raised fish, timber, poultry, plants for sale). Administered by Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Operators must obtain a license after completing agricultural education and safety training through Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service or Southern University. Data collected by ag drone remains property of landowner unless agreed otherwise in writing. Operators working someone else's land need written landowner permission.

Prohibits intentionally flying a drone across a police cordon in a manner that obstructs investigating officers. Allows law enforcement or emergency responders to disable any drone in the area that has the potential to endanger lives or obstruct police operations.

Specifies that surveillance by an unmanned aircraft constitutes criminal trespass under certain circumstances.

Prohibits using a drone to conduct surveillance of a school, school premises, or correctional facilities without authorization.

2026 amendment providing relative to the unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system, signed by governor on 6/8/2026.

2026 amendment providing relative to the unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system, signed by governor on 5/22/2026.

2026 amendment providing relative to conduct that constitutes the crime of video voyeurism, signed by governor on 5/29/2026.

Creates the School Safety Drone Response Pilot Program to supplement school crisis management and response plans, allowing authorized school drone operations for emergency response and security purposes.

Adds theft or unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure as a predicate crime for terrorism, enhancing penalties for crimes involving critical infrastructure including drone-related violations.

New Orleans City Park Drone Prohibition

City Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, prohibits drone operation without a permit reserved for permitted media outlets and park employees.

Audubon Nature Institute Parks Drone Prohibition

All parks owned by the Audubon Nature Institute prohibit drone operation.