New Hampshire Drone Laws (2026): State Rules, Local Ordinances & FAA
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
New Hampshire maintains a permissive regulatory posture toward drone operations, with no state registration, licensing, or business permit requirements beyond federal FAA rules. The state enacted comprehensive criminal drone law (RSA 644:23) effective January 1, 2026, making FAA Part 107 violations state crimes and establishing felony penalties for interference with crewed aircraft and armed drones. Beyond criminal law and application of general privacy statutes to drones, New Hampshire defers entirely to federal FAA regulation.
State Drone Laws
RSA 644:23Unlawful Operation or Use of Small Unmanned Aircraft System
Comprehensive criminal drone statute (enacted as Chapter 278 of HB 468, signed August 1, 2025). Makes operating a drone in violation of FAA Part 107 rules a state violation for first offense and misdemeanor for subsequent offenses. Prohibits interfering with law enforcement, firefighting, or emergency-response operations. Establishes escalating penalties for airport interference: Class A misdemeanor for negligent interference, Class B felony if drone damages a crewed aircraft in flight, Class A felony if crash results in death or serious bodily injury. Prohibits operating drones in FAA-restricted airspace over federal, state, or county correctional facilities (misdemeanor; Class B felony if purpose is to deliver contraband or aid escape). Bans armed or projectile-capable drones (Class B felony). Law enforcement acting under lawful authority and news-media operators with valid FAA waiver/authorization are exempt.
RSA 644:9Invasion of Privacy by Recording Device (Applied to Drones)
General voyeurism and privacy statute applicable to drones. Prohibits unlawfully and without consent using any device to observe, photograph, or record someone's private body parts or under their clothing, or to capture images or sounds inside a private place (restroom, locker room, dwelling interior, etc.) where a person has reasonable expectation of privacy. RSA 644:23 explicitly makes drone flights that violate this statute an independent drone offense.
RSA 207:57Prohibition on Drone Surveillance of Hunters, Fishers, and Trappers
Enacted by SB 222 (2015). Prohibits using a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle to conduct video surveillance of private citizens who are lawfully hunting, fishing, or trapping without first obtaining their written consent. Law enforcement officers and NH Fish and Game personnel are exempt when acting in their official duties.
NH Admin. Code Fis 312.01 and 312.02Fish and Game Rule: Prohibition on Using Drones for Hunting and Wildlife Location
New Hampshire Fish and Game administrative rule prohibiting use of drones to locate or attempt to locate game for the purpose of taking it. Also prohibits using drones for hunting and fishing activities more broadly, including surveilling wildlife, communicating to locate wildlife, and harassing wildlife.
USFS Forest Order R9-22-19-01White Mountain National Forest Drone Restrictions
U.S. Forest Service order governing drone operations on White Mountain National Forest lands. Prohibits takeoff and landing within 1/4 mile of Forest Protection Areas and alpine zones. Drones are prohibited entirely in six congressionally designated Wilderness areas: Great Gulf, Pemigewasset, Presidential Range–Dry River, Sandwich Range, Wild River, and Caribou-Speckled. Recreational drone use is generally allowed on other White Mountain National Forest land.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
New Hampshire State Parks (Statewide)
stateState Parks Launch and Landing Ban
New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources prohibits launching or landing drones within the boundaries of all New Hampshire State Parks, state beaches, and historic sites statewide. This administrative policy applies to all state park units including Franconia Notch State Park.
Restrictions
No takeoff or landing within any state park boundaries. No permit system exists. A 2025 proposal (HB 644) to create a state parks drone permit system with a $25 per day commercial fee and specific carve-outs did not pass and is not law.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating a drone in violation of FAA Part 107 rules | Violation (first offense); Misdemeanor (subsequent offense) | Per RSA 644:23 state offense schedule | None (violation); Up to 1 year (misdemeanor) | Local law enforcement, NH State Police | Under RSA 644:23, FAA Part 107 violations are now state crimes in addition to potential federal FAA civil penalties and enforcement action. |
| Interfering with law enforcement, firefighting, or emergency-response operations with a drone | Misdemeanor | Per state misdemeanor schedule | Up to 1 year | Local law enforcement, NH State Police | RSA 644:23, Section III |
| Operating a drone in a way that violates the privacy statute (RSA 644:9) | Class A Misdemeanor (and escalates to felony for repeat/child victims under RSA 644:9) | Up to $2,000 | Up to 1 year | Local law enforcement, NH State Police | RSA 644:23, Section III explicitly incorporates RSA 644:9 violations as independent drone offenses |
| Negligently operating a drone to interfere with a crewed aircraft or disrupt an airport | Class A Misdemeanor | Per Class A misdemeanor schedule | Up to 1 year | FAA, NH State Police | RSA 644:23, Section IV(a) |
| Operating a drone that damages a crewed aircraft in flight | Class B Felony | Per Class B felony schedule | Typically 3-7 years | NH State Police, FAA | RSA 644:23, Section IV(b) |
| Drone operation causing a crash that results in death or serious bodily injury | Class A Felony | Per Class A felony schedule | Typically 15 years to life | NH State Police, FAA | RSA 644:23, Section IV(c) |
| Operating a drone in FAA-restricted airspace over a federal, state, or county correctional facility | Misdemeanor (Class B felony if purpose is to deliver contraband or aid escape) | Per misdemeanor or felony schedule | Up to 1 year (misdemeanor); 3-7 years (felony) | Correctional facility security, NH State Police | RSA 644:23, Section V |
| Possessing or operating a drone equipped with a device capable of causing serious bodily injury, death, or property damage, or capable of firing or releasing a projectile | Class B Felony | Per Class B felony schedule | 3-7 years | NH State Police, local law enforcement | RSA 644:23, Section VI. Exemptions: bomb-squad explosives-disposal use and law enforcement officers acting under lawful authority |
| Conducting video surveillance of lawful hunters, fishers, or trappers without written consent | Violation | Violation-level fine (comparable to traffic ticket) | None | NH Fish and Game, local law enforcement | RSA 207:57. Law enforcement and NH Fish & Game conservation officers are exempt when acting in official duties. |
| Using a drone to locate or attempt to locate game for the purpose of taking it | Fish and Game rule violation | Fish and Game violation penalty | None | NH Fish and Game conservation officers | Fis 312.01 / 312.02 administrative rule |
| Taking off or landing a drone within New Hampshire State Park boundaries | Park rule violation / Administrative violation | Park violation penalty | None | State Parks staff, local law enforcement | DNCR administrative policy. In-flight overflight of parks is not prohibited, only launch/landing. |
Operating a drone in violation of FAA Part 107 rules
Under RSA 644:23, FAA Part 107 violations are now state crimes in addition to potential federal FAA civil penalties and enforcement action.
Interfering with law enforcement, firefighting, or emergency-response operations with a drone
RSA 644:23, Section III
Operating a drone in a way that violates the privacy statute (RSA 644:9)
RSA 644:23, Section III explicitly incorporates RSA 644:9 violations as independent drone offenses
Negligently operating a drone to interfere with a crewed aircraft or disrupt an airport
RSA 644:23, Section IV(a)
Operating a drone that damages a crewed aircraft in flight
RSA 644:23, Section IV(b)
Drone operation causing a crash that results in death or serious bodily injury
RSA 644:23, Section IV(c)
Operating a drone in FAA-restricted airspace over a federal, state, or county correctional facility
RSA 644:23, Section V
Possessing or operating a drone equipped with a device capable of causing serious bodily injury, death, or property damage, or capable of firing or releasing a projectile
RSA 644:23, Section VI. Exemptions: bomb-squad explosives-disposal use and law enforcement officers acting under lawful authority
Conducting video surveillance of lawful hunters, fishers, or trappers without written consent
RSA 207:57. Law enforcement and NH Fish & Game conservation officers are exempt when acting in official duties.
Using a drone to locate or attempt to locate game for the purpose of taking it
Fis 312.01 / 312.02 administrative rule
Taking off or landing a drone within New Hampshire State Park boundaries
DNCR administrative policy. In-flight overflight of parks is not prohibited, only launch/landing.
Registration, Fees & Taxes
No additional state registration or fees in New Hampshire
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
New Hampshire does not require state registration of drones beyond federal FAA registration. No state-specific drone registration, licensing, operator permit, or business permit exists. Commercial operators conducting drone work must obtain FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate ($175 test fee); recreational operators must pass the free TRUST test and carry proof of passage. Federal FAA registration ($5 for 3 years) is required for any drone over 0.55 pounds. New Hampshire imposes no additional state-level registration, licensing, or permitting requirements on drone operations.
No state-level drone operation permit required. Note: A 2025 proposal (HB 644) would have created a state parks drone permit system allowing commercial operations for $25/day with certain carve-outs, but the bill was voted inexpedient to legislate on March 6, 2025, and did not become law. No pathway currently exists to obtain a state parks flight permit.
No mandatory liability insurance requirement at the state level.
Applicable Federal Regulations
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate Violation Now a State Crime
Federal pilot certification violations have state criminal consequences
Violations of FAA Part 107 requirements are no longer purely federal matters. Under RSA 644:23, operating a drone in violation of Part 107 rules is a state violation (first offense) or misdemeanor (subsequent offense). This adds state criminal exposure on top of potential FAA civil penalties and certificate enforcement action.
Remote ID Compliance
Mandatory broadcast requirement since March 16, 2024
All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID information. Compliance options: Standard Remote ID, broadcast module, or operation inside a FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA).
Recreational vs. Commercial Operations Distinction
Separate regulatory pathways
Recreational flying under 49 USC 44809 requires passing the TRUST test (free, online, one-time). Commercial flying under Part 107 requires the Remote Pilot Certificate ($175 test fee, 24-month validity). New Hampshire adds no separate state requirements on top of the federal distinction.
Controlled Airspace and LAANC
Authorization required for many flights
Flights in Class B, C, D, and surface Class E airspace require LAANC or manual FAA authorization. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) Class C airspace covers much of southern New Hampshire.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
New Hampshire 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 controlled airspace around Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT, Class C) and other towered airports. Manchester area has extensive Class C airspace requiring LAANC authorization before flight. Boston Class B shelf extends into far-southern New Hampshire. Concord (CON) and Nashua have Class D airspace requiring LAANC or manual authorization.
Major Airports
MHT — Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (Class C airspace)CON — Concord Municipal Airport (Class D airspace)ASH — Nashua Airport (Class D airspace)
TFR Notice
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) may be issued for special events, VIP visits, and emergency response operations. Always check B4UFLY and FAA NOTAM search before every flight.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
No recent enforcement actions or news on record.
Pending Legislation
SB 519Referred for Interim StudyRelative to the use of unmanned aerial systems
Bill addressing unmanned aerial systems regulation, introduced January 7, 2026. Passed Senate with amendment on March 12, 2026, then referred to House Judiciary. House voted to refer for interim study on April 23, 2026, effectively stalling the bill for potential reconsideration in a future legislative session.
Last action: April 23, 2026
HB 1291Inexpedient to Legislate (Failed)Criminalizing the use of small unmanned aircraft systems for the purposes of flying over critical infrastructure and events without authorization
Proposed bill to establish criminal penalties for unauthorized drone operations over critical infrastructure and major events. Voted inexpedient to legislate (died in committee) on March 5, 2026.
Last action: March 5, 2026
HB 1289Inexpedient to Legislate (Failed)Criminalizing the use of small unmanned aircraft systems for the purpose of video voyeurism and the invasion of the right to privacy
Proposed bill to create drone-specific criminal video voyeurism and privacy violations. Voted inexpedient to legislate (died in committee) on February 5, 2026. Note: Drone-related privacy violations are already covered by RSA 644:9 and incorporated into RSA 644:23.
Last action: February 5, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire | UNH requires all drone operations on campus to be coordinated with the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) department and campus police. Drone flights are prohibited over campus events and athletic functions. Restrictions: EHS pre-approval required before any flight. Campus police notification required. No flights over campus events, athletic events, or gatherings. | Yes | Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Department |
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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