Nevada Drone Laws

A property owner may bring a civil action for trespass against a drone operator who flies below 250 feet over the property if the operator has previously flown over the property without authorization and the owner has notified the operator that drone flights are not authorized. Licensed commercial operators conducting lawful business activities are exempt if the flight does not unreasonably interfere with the property's use. Homeowners associations cannot impose stricter drone restrictions than state law.

Prohibits attaching any weapon to a drone or operating a weaponized unmanned aerial vehicle. Discharge of the weapon escalates the offense to a more serious felony classification.

Prohibits operating a drone within 500 feet horizontally or 250 feet vertically of a critical facility (petroleum refineries, chemical plants, pipelines, water/wastewater treatment plants, mines, power plants and substations, transmission lines, jails, detention facilities, and prisons) without written consent of the facility owner. Also prohibits operation within 5 miles of any airport without airport operator consent or FAA waiver/exemption/authorization. Authorization documentation must be carried during flight.

Provides statutory definitions for NRS Chapter 493, including definition of 'critical facility' and 'unmanned aerial vehicle.'

Prohibits trick or acrobatic flying, excessively low flight, or dropping objects with reckless disregard over heavily populated areas or public gatherings. Exception: acrobatic flying by drone operators in parks is permitted unless operated with reckless disregard for safety of others and willful indifference to injuries. This provision makes Nevada one of the most FPV-friendly states for recreational acrobatic flying in parks.

Requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before using a drone to gather evidence or information within the curtilage of a residence or at locations where a person has reasonable expectation of privacy. Warrants limited to 10 days and are renewable. Exceptions: exigent circumstances with probable cause, written consent, search and rescue, imminent threat to life or public safety (with sworn statement filed within 2 business days), or governor-declared emergency. Information obtained in violation is inadmissible and cannot establish reasonable suspicion or probable cause.

Requires public agencies to register unmanned aerial vehicles with the Department of Public Safety before operation and to comply with DPS regulations. Public agencies are prohibited from operating drones to assist law enforcement agencies with law enforcement or conducting criminal prosecutions. Information obtained in violation is inadmissible.

Requires the Department of Public Safety to establish and maintain a registry of unmanned aerial vehicles operated by public agencies in Nevada. Public agencies must submit registration information including agency name, operator names and contact information, UAS identification, and statement of intended use.

Prohibits operating any aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles, while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled substances, or in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger life or property of another.

Prohibits using a manned or unmanned aircraft to spot or locate game and then relay that information for hunting or trapping within 24 hours of the aircraft landing. Also prohibits harassing game with a drone, defined as molesting, chasing, herding, or driving wildlife.

Makes it unlawful to look or peer into a dwelling with intent to invade privacy. Applies to drone cameras directed at windows or into homes.

Makes it unlawful to capture an image of the private area of another person without consent where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Applies to drone recording of private backyards, swimming areas, and bedrooms.

Prohibits recording audio of private conversations without consent. Applies when a drone captures audio over private property where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Provides for partial abatement of certain taxes imposed on aircraft, components of aircraft, and other personal property used for certain purposes related to aircraft. May apply to drones classified as aircraft under Nevada law, though application to drones specifically is unsettled.

Comprehensive legislation that created the framework for Nevada drone regulation. Defines unmanned aerial vehicles, establishes prohibitions on weaponization, requires law enforcement warrants for surveillance, restricts public agency use, and creates distance rules for airports and critical facilities. Cornerstone of Nevada's drone legal framework.

Effective January 1, 2025, directs the Department of Public Safety to maintain a list of prohibited drone manufacturers, vendors, and related hardware/software flagged under federal covered-UAS lists (Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act). Public and law enforcement agencies cannot purchase or operate equipment from flagged vendors. Does not restrict private or commercial Part 107 operators.

Prohibits drones in Nevada State Parks (Valley of Fire, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, etc.) unless a park supervisor designates a specific area for drone use or issues a special use permit.

City of Las Vegas ordinance prohibiting the operation of drones (remote control airplanes and other aircraft) within any city park, recreational facility, or public plaza, including parking areas that serve these facilities.

City of Las Vegas ordinance prohibiting the launching or landing of any aircraft upon any public street, highway, or public right-of-way, and on any public parking lot. Exceptions for government entities authorized by city council and operations necessary to protect life or property.

Washoe County ordinance prohibiting the use of drones in all county parks unless by permit, in designated areas, or with written permission of the director. Drone operations must not cause disruption of peace or threat to public safety.

Updated November 2025, expanded from 8 to 28 designated county parks where drones may be operated during normal park hours in compliance with all state and federal rules. Includes Bennett Airfield, Desert Breeze Park, Mountain's Edge Regional Park, Lone Mountain Park, Silver Bowl Park, Horseman Park, Clark County Shooting Complex, James Regional Park, and others. Drones flown for racing or acrobatic maneuvers require a special use permit from Parks and Recreation Department.

City of Henderson permits drone operations in designated parks (Amador Vista Park, Cornerstone Park, Hidden Falls Park, Mission Hills Park) during normal operating hours in accordance with all applicable Nevada, city, and federal regulations.

Prohibition of Aircraft in City Parks (LVMC 13.36.020)

Drones and remote control aircraft are prohibited within any Las Vegas city park, recreational facility, or public plaza, including parking areas serving these facilities.

Prohibition of Aircraft Takeoff and Landing on Public Right-of-Way (LVMC 13.58.030)

Aircraft, including drones, cannot be launched or landed on public streets, highways, public right-of-ways, or public parking lots. Exceptions for government-authorized operations and emergency operations.

Designated Parks for Drone Operations (S.15)

Clark County Parks and Recreation Department updated policy in November 2025 to expand drone operations from 8 to 28 designated parks. Drones may be operated during normal park hours in compliance with all state and federal rules.

Drones in County Parks (Code 95.150)

Drones are prohibited in Washoe County parks unless operated by permit, in designated areas, or with written permission from the director. Operations must not cause disruption of peace or threat to public safety.

Designated Parks for Drone Operations

City of Henderson permits drone operations in designated city parks (Amador Vista Park, Cornerstone Park, Hidden Falls Park, Mission Hills Park) during normal operating hours in compliance with state and federal rules.