New Mexico Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
New Mexico maintains a permissive stance toward drone operations, with no state-level registration, licensing, or insurance requirements beyond federal FAA mandates. The state's sole enacted drone-specific statute addresses wildlife protection, prohibiting the use of drones to locate protected species or assist in hunting. Federal airspace restrictions around military installations (White Sands, Kirtland, Holloman, Cannon) dominate flight planning in the state.
State Drone Laws
19.31.10.11 NMACUse of Vehicles, Boats, Aircraft and Drones in Hunting
Prohibits using any aircraft or drone to spot, locate, or relay the location of protected species. Unlawful to pursue, harass, harry, drive, or rally any protected species by drone. Unlawful to hunt or assist in hunting any protected species using location information gained from a drone at any time. Director of Game and Fish may grant exemptions for wildlife management purposes.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
No local ordinances on record. Check with your local city or county government for any drone-specific regulations.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Using drone to spot, locate, or relay location of protected species | Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 364 days | New Mexico Department of Game and Fish | Violation of NMSA 17-2-10 and 31-19-1. Conviction results in revocation of hunting licenses and permits. |
| Hunting on location information gained from drone use | Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 364 days | New Mexico Department of Game and Fish | Applies at any time, year-round. Violation of NMSA 17-2-10 and 31-19-1. |
| Pursuing, harassing, driving, or rallying wildlife with drone | Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 364 days | New Mexico Department of Game and Fish | Applies to any protected species. Violation of NMSA 17-2-10 and 31-19-1. |
Using drone to spot, locate, or relay location of protected species
Violation of NMSA 17-2-10 and 31-19-1. Conviction results in revocation of hunting licenses and permits.
Hunting on location information gained from drone use
Applies at any time, year-round. Violation of NMSA 17-2-10 and 31-19-1.
Pursuing, harassing, driving, or rallying wildlife with drone
Applies to any protected species. Violation of NMSA 17-2-10 and 31-19-1.
Registration, Fees & Taxes
No additional state registration or fees in New Mexico
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 Mexico does not require state-level drone registration beyond federal FAA registration ($5 for 3 years for drones over 250 grams). No state commercial drone license is required; FAA Part 107 is the standard credential. No state insurance mandate exists. General New Mexico sales tax applies to drone purchases but drones are not subject to a specific aircraft registration tax.
Commercial drone use in state parks requires advance approval from the State Park Service (EMNRD), but this is a park-specific policy, not a blanket state permit. Contact EMNRD directly for state park approval.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Remote ID Compliance
Standard Remote ID required since March 16, 2024
All drones in New Mexico must broadcast Remote ID information, use a broadcast module, or operate inside a FRIA (FAA-Recognized Identification Area).
Airspace Restrictions — Military and Missile Ranges
Extensive military and restricted airspace
New Mexico is one of the most airspace-restricted states. White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, Kirtland Air Force Base, and Cannon Air Force Base create large restricted and military operating areas. Los Alamos County requires drone flight notification due to proximity to Los Alamos National Laboratory.
National Parks and Monuments — NPS Drone Ban
36 CFR § 1.5 — No drones in NPS units
Launching, landing, or operating drones is prohibited within any National Park Service unit boundary. New Mexico NPS units include Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands National Park, Bandelier, Petroglyph, Chaco, and others.
Altitude, VLOS, and Night Operations
FAA Part 107 and recreational rules apply
400 feet AGL maximum altitude. Visual Line of Sight required for most operations unless waivered. Night operations allowed with anti-collision lights visible for 3 statute miles. New Mexico does not impose state-level restrictions beyond federal FAA rules.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
New Mexico 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 Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), which operates Class C airspace. LAANC authorization is required for operations in controlled airspace rings around ABQ and other airports. White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, Kirtland Air Force Base, and Cannon Air Force Base create extensive restricted military airspace in southern and eastern New Mexico.
Major Airports
ABQ — Albuquerque International Sunport (Class C)SAF — Santa Fe Regional Airport (Class D)LRU — Las Cruces International (Class D)
TFR Notice
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are common near White Sands Missile Range, Holloman AFB, Kirtland AFB, and Cannon AFB. TFRs also apply around National Park Service units (Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, Bandelier, Petroglyph, Chaco). Check B4UFLY for active TFRs before every flight.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
No recent enforcement actions or news on record.
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Mexico | UNM requires drone operators to coordinate with campus police and Safety & Risk Services for all drone flights on university property. Stadium TFR applies during athletic events. Restrictions: Coordination with Safety & Risk Services required. No flights without prior authorization. Restrictions apply during stadium events. | Yes | Safety & Risk Services / Campus Police |
| New Mexico State University | NMSU maintains an enacted drone policy (ARP 16.75) governing flights on university property. Drone operators must obtain approval before flights. Restrictions: Drone operations require prior authorization through university channels. | Yes | NMSU administration — contact main campus for drone policy inquiries |
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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