Nebraska Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
Nebraska maintains a moderate regulatory approach to drone operations with intent-based privacy protections, state park restrictions, and wildlife harassment prohibitions. The state does not impose broad restrictions on recreational or commercial flying beyond federal FAA requirements, but pilots must comply with wildlife protection laws and the Secure Drone Purchasing Act for government procurement.
State Drone Laws
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-521Drone Trespass with Intent to Observe
Prohibits intentionally causing a drone to enter above someone's property with the specific intent to observe them without consent in a place of solitude or seclusion. The law requires specific voyeuristic intent, not merely low-altitude flight over private property. An escalation clause applies if the property owner directs you to stop and you refuse.
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.08 and § 28-311.09Invasion of Privacy via Drone
Prohibits using a drone to invade a person's privacy through surveillance or recording without consent.
Nebraska Admin. Code Title 163Prohibition of Drones in State Parks and Recreation Areas
Prohibits launching, landing, and operation of any aircraft, including drones, in state-owned or controlled parks, historical parks, recreation areas, and recreation trails without prior written permission from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-2622 et seq.Pesticide Application via Drone
Classifies drone-based pesticide application as aerial application, requiring drone pilots to hold a Nebraska pesticide applicator license with Category 12 (Aerial Pest Control) in addition to FAA Part 107 certification. The drone pilot is considered the legal applicator. Only pesticides labeled and approved for aerial application may be used.
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 73-1001 to § 73-1005 (LB660)Secure Drone Purchasing Act
Requires Nebraska state agencies to purchase only cybersecurity-approved drones from the NDOT-maintained List of Secure Drones Authorized for Purchase. Drones must meet one of three criteria: cleared by DOD Blue UAS Program, compliant with NDAA FY2024, or designed to prevent unauthorized data transmission. Does not affect private or recreational drone purchases.
Nebraska Game LawWildlife Harassment with Drone
Prohibits using a drone to harass, flush, or disturb wildlife, including migratory birds. Particularly enforced along the Central Flyway migratory bird corridor during spring (February-April) and fall (September-November) migration periods.
LB935Criminal Offenses Related to Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Amends Nebraska criminal law to provide for and change offenses involving unlawful intrusion and operation of unmanned aircraft systems, among other criminal provisions. Incorporates drone-related offense provisions from LB1020.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
Omaha
cityCity Drone Permit System
Requires permits for drone operations in city parks and city rights-of-way
Restrictions
Drones over 250g or used for commercial purposes may not take off or land in any city park or city right-of-way without a permit. Drone racing in city parks is prohibited without special permit.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drone trespass with intent to observe (§ 28-521) | Class III Misdemeanor (escalates to Class II if owner's order defied) | Up to $500 (escalates to $1,000) | Up to 3 months (escalates to 6 months) | Nebraska State Police / Local Law Enforcement | Escalation clause applies if property owner tells you to stop flying and you refuse. |
| Invasion of privacy via drone (§§ 28-311.08/28-311.09) | Misdemeanor | Varies by severity | Varies by severity | Local Law Enforcement | Penalties depend on nature and extent of privacy invasion |
| Wildlife harassment with drone | Class II Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 6 months | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission / State Police | Enforced particularly during migratory bird migration seasons |
| Unpermitted pesticide application via drone | Agricultural/Criminal Violation | Civil and criminal fines | Varies | Nebraska Department of Agriculture | Applicator license revocation also possible |
| Operating drone within Offutt AFB 3-mile radius | Federal/Military Violation + FAA Violation | Up to $27,500 FAA civil penalty | Federal charges possible | FAA / Offutt AFB / Federal authorities | Military has active drone detection and downing capability. Report unauthorized drones at (402) 294-4245. |
| Drone operation in state parks without permit | Game and Parks Violation | Varies | N/A | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission | Special occasion permit may be obtained by contacting nearest Game and Parks district office. |
| Drone takeoff/landing in Omaha parks without permit | City Ordinance Violation | Varies by city ordinance | N/A | Omaha Parks and Recreation | Exemption for recreational drones under 250g. Contact (402) 444-5920 for permits. |
Drone trespass with intent to observe (§ 28-521)
Escalation clause applies if property owner tells you to stop flying and you refuse.
Invasion of privacy via drone (§§ 28-311.08/28-311.09)
Penalties depend on nature and extent of privacy invasion
Wildlife harassment with drone
Enforced particularly during migratory bird migration seasons
Unpermitted pesticide application via drone
Applicator license revocation also possible
Operating drone within Offutt AFB 3-mile radius
Military has active drone detection and downing capability. Report unauthorized drones at (402) 294-4245.
Drone operation in state parks without permit
Special occasion permit may be obtained by contacting nearest Game and Parks district office.
Drone takeoff/landing in Omaha parks without permit
Exemption for recreational drones under 250g. Contact (402) 444-5920 for permits.
Registration Requirements
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Nebraska does not require separate state-level drone registration. All drones over 250g must be registered with the FAA ($5 for 3 years). Drones under 250g used recreationally are exempt from FAA registration but must still comply with all flight rules.
No state-level permit required for recreational or commercial operations. However, special permits are required for operations in state parks (contact Nebraska Game and Parks), Omaha city parks (contact Parks and Recreation at 402-444-5920), and commercial operations on government contracts must verify drones are on NDOT approved list before January 1, 2027.
Insurance is not required but is recommended for both recreational and commercial drone operations.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Drone Registration
All drones over 250g must be FAA-registered
Nebraska follows federal FAA registration requirements. Registration costs $5 and is valid for 3 years. Drones must be marked with the FAA registration number on the outside. Unregistered drones can result in civil penalties up to $27,500 or criminal penalties up to $250,000.
Remote ID Requirement
Remote ID required on all registered drones since March 2024
All Nebraska drone operators must comply with FAA Remote ID requirements. This mandates drones broadcast identification information. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $27,500.
Part 107 Commercial Operations
Commercial drone operations require FAA Part 107 certification
Nebraska commercial operators must obtain FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate ($175 test fee) and pass an aeronautical knowledge test. Testing centers are available in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, and North Platte. Part 107 certificate is valid for 24 months.
Recreational Flight Rules (TRUST)
Recreational pilots must pass TRUST test and comply with flight rules
Recreational drone pilots in Nebraska must pass the free FAA Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) before flying. Must maintain visual line of sight, fly at or below 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace, and give way to manned aircraft. Non-compliance with Part 107 or recreational rules can result in certificate action and civil penalties.
Central Flyway Migratory Bird Corridor
Nebraska is part of major migratory bird corridor with seasonal restrictions
Nebraska is part of the Central Flyway with millions of migratory birds (sandhill cranes, whooping cranes, snow geese) passing through during spring (February-April) and fall (September-November). The Platte River corridor between Kearney and Grand Island is especially sensitive during spring crane migration. Flying drones near large concentrations of migratory birds risks state wildlife harassment charges and federal Airborne Hunting Act violations.
Airspace Classification
Nebraska has both controlled and uncontrolled airspace requiring different authorizations
Much of urban Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha) is within controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or surface Class E). Flights in controlled airspace require LAANC authorization or DroneZone approval. Uncontrolled airspace (Class G) allows flight up to 400 feet without prior authorization but other restrictions may apply.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
Nebraska 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 (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) is available at 726 airports nationwide. Coverage extends over much of Lincoln area. Recreational and Part 107 pilots can request near-real-time authorizations for flights under 400 feet in controlled airspace. Manual authorization process available for flights up to 90 days in advance.
Major Airports
LNK — Lincoln Regional AirportOMA — Eppley Airfield (Omaha)
TFR Notice
Offutt Air Force Base (Bellevue) maintains a strictly enforced 3-mile no-fly radius with active drone detection and downing capability. Between 3 and 5 miles from the base, drone use is severely restricted and falls under FAA-controlled airspace with limited authorization available. Military can detect, capture drone information, and physically down unauthorized drones. Report unauthorized drones to Offutt Emergency Communications Center at (402) 294-4245.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
Lincoln Prison Drone Delivery Attempt
enforcementRobert M. Kinser of Lincoln attempted to deliver marijuana (17.5 grams) and tobacco to Lincoln Correctional Center using a DJI Phantom 4. The drone crashed outside the prison and was discovered by an inmate. Investigators extracted evidence from the drone's memory card. Kinser, with prior felony convictions, pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 2 years in prison plus 18 months post-release supervision.
Pending Legislation
LR250In Committee — Government, Military and Veterans Affairs CommitteeInterim Study on Secure Drone Purchasing Act Exemptions
Legislative study resolution to examine whether utility companies and power companies should be exempt from the Secure Drone Purchasing Act (LB660) requirements that restrict state agency drone purchases to cybersecurity-approved models.
Last action: May 19, 2025
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | UNL requires all UAS operations on university property to be approved by the Office of Risk Management. Memorial Stadium temporary flight restriction (TFR) is strictly enforced during Husker football games. Restrictions: Risk Management approval required for all drone flights. Memorial Stadium TFR during Husker football games. No flights over campus buildings or East Campus. | Yes | Office of Risk Management — risk.unl.edu |
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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