New York Drone Laws
Complete guide for commercial and recreational UAS operators
State Overview
New York maintains a restrictive drone regulatory posture, particularly in New York City where takeoff and landing require NYPD permits. Statewide, drones are governed by general criminal statutes rather than dedicated drone legislation, with major restrictions in state parks and wilderness areas. Outside NYC, compliance is primarily with FAA federal rules and state environmental restrictions.
State Drone Laws
NY Penal Law § 250.45Unlawful Surveillance
Makes it a Class E felony to use an imaging device, including a drone, to record a person dressing, undressing, or engaged in intimate conduct in a place where the subject has a reasonable expectation of privacy, without consent.
NY Penal Law § 240.26Harassment in the Second Degree
Prohibits following or engaging in a course of conduct that alarms or annoys another person with no legitimate purpose. Drone-based harassment of neighbors or public figures has been charged under this statute.
NY Penal Law § 240.20Disorderly Conduct
Prohibits causing public alarm, inconvenience, or annoyance. Subsection (7) addresses creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition by an act serving no legitimate purpose. Drone crashes and low flights over crowds are often prosecuted under this statute.
NY Penal Law § 120.20Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree
Prohibits conduct that creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury. Applies to drone flights that endanger persons or property.
NY Penal Law § 120.25Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree
Prohibits conduct creating a grave risk of death. First-degree reckless endangerment applies when a drone operation creates grave risk of death with depraved indifference.
NY Penal Law § 240.30Aggravated Harassment
Prohibits communicating in a manner likely to cause alarm. Has been charged in drone-surveillance cases involving neighbor disputes.
OPRHP Policy OPR-PCD-018Unmanned Aircraft Use on State Parks and Historic Sites
Requires written permission from the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation regional director before any drone takeoff, landing, or operation on OPRHP property. Applies to all state parks, historic sites, and recreation areas.
6 NYCRR Part 190, § 190.8Prohibition of Unmanned Aircraft in Designated State Lands
Prohibits the launch, landing, or operation of unmanned aircraft on lands classified as Wilderness, Primitive, or Canoe areas within the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves, covering over 1 million acres.
6 NYCRR § 180.3 and Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0923Prohibition on Using Aircraft to Hunt Wildlife
Prohibits using aircraft, including drones, to hunt, locate, drive, or take wildlife. Applies to all hunting seasons and wild animals. Carve-out for recovery of already-harvested game handled case-by-case.
NYC Administrative Code § 10-126(b)Aircraft Takeoff and Landing Prohibition
Makes it unlawful for any person to aviate, navigate, or pilot an aircraft (including drones) to take off or land within New York City limits except at airports or locations designated by the Department of Transportation or Port Authority. This effectively prohibits most civilian drone operations within the five boroughs without an NYPD permit.
1 RCNY § 1-05(g)NYC Parks Model Aircraft Restriction
Prohibits the use of model aircraft or similar apparatus in New York City parks except in areas designated by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Only three parks are designated for recreational drone use: Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Queens), Calvert Vaux Park (Brooklyn), and LaTourette Park (Staten Island).
S09005 / Chapter 55 (2026)Public Protection and General Government Budget Act - Drone Crime Provisions
Establishes crimes related to unlawful use of drones. Requires the state to maintain 'the New York state blue list' restricting drone and drone mitigation technology procurements to approved vendors.
Local/Municipal Ordinances
New York City
cityUnmanned Aircraft Permit System
NYC requires a permit from the NYPD to operate drones for commercial purposes. The permit process is controlled through the NYPD drone permit portal. Applications must be submitted at least 30 days in advance.
Restrictions
Commercial operators must hold FAA Part 107 certificate, provide proof of commercial general liability insurance ($1 million typical coverage) with City named as additional insured, submit detailed operations plan including takeoff/landing location, flight path, altitude, and time window, and pay $150 non-refundable application fee. Recreational drone operations only permitted at three designated model airplane fields: Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Queens), Calvert Vaux Park (Brooklyn), and LaTourette Park (Staten Island). NYPD may seize drones and confiscate them.
Syracuse
cityGovernment Drone Operations Ban
City of Syracuse banned all city government drone operations until comprehensive federal and state laws are enacted that regulate government drone use in a manner protecting First Amendment and Fourth Amendment rights.
Restrictions
Applies to city government operations only; does not restrict private drone operators. Reflects political caution about surveillance and civil liberties.
Penalty & Fine Schedule
| Violation | Classification | Fine Range | Imprisonment | Enforcement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlawful surveillance by drone (NY PL § 250.45) | Class E Felony | Up to $5,000 | Up to 4 years state prison | New York Police Department / State Police / County District Attorneys | Most serious drone-related offense; applies to privacy invasion such as recording through windows or in bathrooms |
| Reckless endangerment, 1st degree by drone (NY PL § 120.25) | Class D Felony | Varies | Up to 7 years state prison | New York Police Department / County District Attorneys | Applied when drone operation creates grave risk of death or serious injury with depraved indifference |
| Reckless endangerment, 2nd degree by drone (NY PL § 120.20) | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 1 year | New York Police Department / County District Attorneys | Common charge in NYPD drone enforcement cases; applied to flights creating substantial risk of injury |
| Disorderly conduct via drone (NY PL § 240.20) | Violation | Up to $250 | Up to 15 days | Law Enforcement | Catch-all charge for drone-related public disturbances, crashes, or hazardous conditions |
| Harassment 2nd degree via drone (NY PL § 240.26) | Violation | Up to $250 | Up to 15 days | Law Enforcement | Charged in neighbor conflicts and targeted drone surveillance |
| Aggravated harassment via drone (NY PL § 240.30) | Class A Misdemeanor | Varies | Up to 1 year | Law Enforcement | Applied to threatening or alarming communications via drone |
| NYC Admin Code § 10-126(b) - Unauthorized drone takeoff/landing | Misdemeanor | Up to $1,000 | Up to 1 year | NYPD | Drone confiscation common; 2013 Hearst Tower incident set early enforcement precedent |
| DEC Wilderness/Primitive area drone flight (6 NYCRR § 190.8) | Environmental Conservation Law Violation | Up to $250 | Up to 15 days per violation | DEC Environmental Conservation Officers | Applies to Adirondack and Catskill Wilderness and Primitive areas totaling 1+ million acres |
| State park drone operation without permit (OPRHP OPR-PCD-018) | Administrative Citation | Varies | None | OPRHP Park Police | Written permission required in advance from regional director; applies to all OPRHP lands |
| Unauthorized wildlife hunting with drone (6 NYCRR § 180.3) | Environmental Conservation Law Violation | Varies | Varies | DEC Environmental Conservation Officers | Covers hunting, locating, or taking any wild animal |
Unlawful surveillance by drone (NY PL § 250.45)
Most serious drone-related offense; applies to privacy invasion such as recording through windows or in bathrooms
Reckless endangerment, 1st degree by drone (NY PL § 120.25)
Applied when drone operation creates grave risk of death or serious injury with depraved indifference
Reckless endangerment, 2nd degree by drone (NY PL § 120.20)
Common charge in NYPD drone enforcement cases; applied to flights creating substantial risk of injury
Disorderly conduct via drone (NY PL § 240.20)
Catch-all charge for drone-related public disturbances, crashes, or hazardous conditions
Harassment 2nd degree via drone (NY PL § 240.26)
Charged in neighbor conflicts and targeted drone surveillance
Aggravated harassment via drone (NY PL § 240.30)
Applied to threatening or alarming communications via drone
NYC Admin Code § 10-126(b) - Unauthorized drone takeoff/landing
Drone confiscation common; 2013 Hearst Tower incident set early enforcement precedent
DEC Wilderness/Primitive area drone flight (6 NYCRR § 190.8)
Applies to Adirondack and Catskill Wilderness and Primitive areas totaling 1+ million acres
State park drone operation without permit (OPRHP OPR-PCD-018)
Written permission required in advance from regional director; applies to all OPRHP lands
Unauthorized wildlife hunting with drone (6 NYCRR § 180.3)
Covers hunting, locating, or taking any wild animal
Registration, Fees & Taxes
New York imposes state-level registration, licensing, insurance, or fee requirements
Commercial operators: budget for the state fees below before operating here. Federal FAA registration is still required separately.
State Registration
Not Required
State Permit
Not Required
State Insurance
Not Required
Commercial License
Not Required
Sales Tax on Drones
Does Not Apply
- Other Fees
- NYPD Drone Permit — $150 per permit (non-refundable)Required for commercial drone operations in New York City. Separate from federal FAA registration. 30-day minimum advance notice required. Permit specific to approved location, date, and pilot-in-command. Applications submitted via dronepermits.nypdonline.org.
New York does not require state-level drone registration beyond federal FAA registration ($5 for 3 years). No separate state drone license or registration is required for recreational or commercial operators. NYC commercial operations require an NYPD permit ($150), which is separate from FAA registration and is location/date/pilot specific.
No state-level permit required beyond FAA registration. NYC commercial operations require NYPD drone permit ($150 non-refundable, 30-day minimum advance notice) via dronepermits.nypdonline.org. State parks require written permission from OPRHP regional director on a case-by-case basis.
No state-level insurance requirement. NYC NYPD permit system requires commercial general liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage, with City of New York named as additional insured. Most commercial clients throughout New York require $1 million liability coverage regardless of formal mandate.
Applicable Federal Regulations
Part 107 Commercial Operations
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required for all commercial drone work
Commercial operators in New York must hold current FAA Part 107 certificate (24-month validity, $175 test fee). NYC additionally requires NYPD drone permit. Failure to comply with Part 107 carries federal civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation or criminal penalties up to $250,000.
Remote ID Compliance
Mandatory Remote ID broadcasting since March 16, 2024
All registered drones must broadcast Remote ID, location, and altitude while outdoors unless operating inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). New York has limited FRIAs. Violations subject to civil penalties up to $27,500 and criminal penalties up to $250,000.
LAANC Authorization in Controlled Airspace
Mandatory for controlled airspace authorization
NYC airspace (Class B under JFK, LaGuardia, Newark) requires LAANC authorization or DroneZone waiver. Large portions of Manhattan show zero-foot authorization ceilings on UAS Facility Maps. Unauthorized flight in controlled airspace subject to federal penalties.
Stadium TFRs and Event Restrictions
14 CFR § 99.7 stadium TFRs
MLB games at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, NFL games at MetLife Stadium, NCAA Division I events, and US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium all trigger TFRs. No-fly radius is 3 statute miles, 1 hour before to 1 hour after events at 30,000+ seat venues. Violations subject to federal enforcement.
National Park Service Restrictions
NPS 36 CFR § 1.5 drone prohibitions
Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, Fire Island National Seashore, and other NPS sites prohibit all drone launches and landings. Federal airspace restrictions apply. Violations subject to federal penalties and possible criminal charges.
FAA Registration
Federal registration requirement for drones over 0.55 pounds
All drones over 0.55 pounds must be FAA-registered ($5 for 3 years). Registration number must be visible on aircraft. Failure to register subject to civil penalties up to $27,500.
For complete federal regulations, see our Federal Regulations page.
Federal Preemption & Critical Infrastructure
New York 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 coverage exists around New York's major airports but authorization altitudes in the NYC metro area are extremely limited. Grid squares near JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark often show zero-foot ceilings, meaning no drone flights are authorized at any altitude in those zones. Operators must obtain DroneZone waivers for flights at altitude. LAANC authorization works normally around regional airports (Syracuse Hancock-SYR, Buffalo Niagara-BUF, Albany-ALB).
Major Airports
JFK — John F. Kennedy InternationalLGA — LaGuardia AirportEWR — Newark Liberty InternationalHPN — Westchester County AirportTEB — Teterboro AirportISP — Long Island MacArthurSYR — Syracuse Hancock InternationalBUF — Buffalo Niagara InternationalALB — Albany International
TFR Notice
Temporary Flight Restrictions common near Yankee Stadium (Bronx), Citi Field (Queens), Arthur Ashe Stadium (Queens-US Open), MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ). UN General Assembly triggers 30-mile TFR over Manhattan each September. Stadium TFR under 14 CFR § 99.7 covers 3 statute miles, 1 hour before to 1 hour after MLB, NFL, and NCAA Division I events at 30,000+ seat venues. 2026 FIFA World Cup at MetLife Stadium will trigger expanded TFRs.
Recent Enforcement Actions & News
S09005 Signed into Law - Drone Crime Provisions
legislationGovernor signed S09005 (Chapter 55) establishing crimes related to unlawful use of drones and requiring the state to maintain an approved vendor list for drone procurements.
FAA DETER Program Launched
regulatory changeFAA announced new DETER enforcement program offering first-time drone violators the option of faster penalties with reduced fines in exchange for waiving appeal rights. Affects all states including New York.
FAA Establishes FIFA World Cup 2026 No-Drone Zones
regulatory changeFAA announced no-fly zones around MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ (serving NY/NJ area) and other World Cup host cities. Violations could result in fines up to $100,000. TFRs will be in effect around stadium, fan areas, and base camps.
Pending Legislation
A00972 / S01096In Committee (Referred to Governmental Operations / Codes)Protect Our Privacy (POP) Act
Would establish limitations on law enforcement drone use and prohibit law enforcement from operating drones at concerts, protests, demonstrations, or other First Amendment-protected activities.
Last action: January 7, 2026
S00694 / A00615In Committee (Amended, Referred to Crime Victims, Crime and Correction / Correction)Correctional Facility Drone Prohibition
Proposes to prohibit civilian drone use within 500 feet of a correctional facility except when FAA-authorized. Includes security contraband prevention language.
Last action: January 7, 2026
A07208In Committee (Referred to Governmental Operations)General Drone Limitations Act
Proposed legislation to impose limitations on the use of drones within the state.
Last action: January 7, 2026
S06340In Committee (Referred to Codes)Unlawful Surveillance Enhancement
Would make conducting unlawful surveillance by use of a drone constitute unlawful surveillance in the second degree, potentially enhancing penalties.
Last action: January 7, 2026
A02065In Committee (Referred to Codes)Critical Infrastructure Overflight Felony
Proposes to make it a Class E felony to operate a model or unmanned aircraft over critical infrastructure facilities including electrical power generating facilities, petroleum or natural gas refineries, stage facilities, or aboveground oil, gas, or chemical pipelines.
Last action: January 7, 2026
S09156 / A11069In Committee (Referred to Insurance)Aerial Insurance Imaging Requirements
Would impose requirements for use of aerial drone images of insured property for homeowners' insurance purposes, including notice requirements and appeals process.
Last action: April 24, 2026
S04839 / A04944In Committee (Referred to Codes)School and Critical Infrastructure Drone Prohibition
Proposes to prohibit the operation of uncrewed aircraft over school grounds or critical infrastructure facilities, with penalties for violations.
Last action: February 9, 2026
A00260 / S03273In Committee (Referred to Transportation)Comprehensive Unmanned Aircraft State Regulation
Comprehensive proposed legislation to regulate the use of unmanned aircraft in the state, including defining terms, authorizing permitted uses, and restricting prohibited uses.
Last action: January 7, 2026
S03542 / A01109In Committee (Referred to Environmental Conservation)Wildlife Hunting Drone Prohibition
Would prohibit the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to search for, scout, locate, hunt, detect, or otherwise aid in the taking of wild animals to which a hunting season applies.
Last action: January 7, 2026
S06305In Committee (Referred to Codes)Remotely Piloted Aircraft Definition and Regulation
Relates to the unlawful use of a remotely piloted aircraft, defining it as a device used for flight in the air operated remotely without possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.
Last action: January 7, 2026
A00558 / S02300In Committee (Referred to Transportation)General Aviation Aircraft Registration
Requires registration of general aviation aircraft used for civil aviation, issuance of certificates of registration, and proof of insurance.
Last action: January 7, 2026
University & College Drone Policies
| Institution | Policy Summary | Permit Required | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York University | NYU prohibits all unauthorized drone operations on university property across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Abu Dhabi campuses. Dense urban NYC location creates significant safety and legal restrictions under both NYC and FAA rules. Restrictions: Strict prohibition on all unauthorized flights. NYC Admin Code § 10-126 effectively bans drone takeoff/landing within city limits. NYU campus properties follow this restriction plus university-specific policy. | Yes | NYU Department of Public Safety — publicsafety@nyu.edu |
| Columbia University | Columbia prohibits unauthorized drone flights on all campus properties including Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, and Medical Center campuses in Manhattan. NYC drone restrictions apply. Restrictions: No unauthorized flights. NYC airspace restrictions and Admin Code § 10-126 apply. No flights over campus buildings or quadrangles. | Yes | Columbia Public Safety |
| SUNY University at Buffalo | UB requires approval from the Office of Environment, Health & Safety for all drone operations on the North and South campuses. UB Stadium TFR applies during athletic events. Restrictions: EHS approval required before any flight. Stadium TFR during events. No flights over occupied buildings or research facilities. | Yes | Office of Environment, Health & Safety |
| SUNY Stony Brook University | Stony Brook requires all drone operations on campus to be coordinated with the Environmental Health & Safety department and university police. Restrictions: EHS coordination required. No flights over research facilities or medical center. | Yes | Environmental Health & Safety — (631) 632-6410 |
| Cornell University | Cornell requires all UAS operations on university property to be approved by Environmental Health & Safety. The university has drone research programs through the College of Engineering. Restrictions: EHS approval required. No flights over Schoellkopf Field during athletic events. Rural campus allows designated flight areas for approved research. | Yes | Environmental Health & Safety |
| Syracuse University | Syracuse requires drone operations on campus to be approved by the Department of Public Safety. JMA Wireless Dome events trigger airspace restrictions. Restrictions: Public Safety approval required. Stadium area restricted during athletic events. | Yes | Department of Public Safety |
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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